Allan Kozinn: The Internet Strikes Back

Petition circulates to reinstate New York Times critic.
by Paul J. Pelkonen

Yes, it's me manipulating images again. Snip snip snippity snip.
(Pictures sourced from Allan Kozinn's Facebook page and Wikimedia Commons.)

Just one day after Norman Lebrecht's blog Slipped Disc called attention to The New York Times' "reassignment" of classical music critic Allan Kozinn to the post of "cultural reporter," voices on the Internet have come out in support of his reinstatement.
The story was covered yesterday on Superconductor.
Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Kozinn released the following statement on his Facebook page:
"Well, since word about this seems to be out, I might as well repost it as well. I think officially, all I can say is that it's been more than a privilege to write about music and musicians for the Times for the last 35 years. I've heard, seen and covered a few lifetimes worth of great and interesting music although there's a great deal more I wanted to do - I've really enjoyed watching the new music world really catch fire in recent years - I'll obviously continue to keep tabs on it through Steve Smith's work, not to mention directly, where possible while I'm doing whatever it is I'll be doing instead."
Further comment has come from other journalists, colleagues and bloggers:

• Alex Ross' blog The Rest is Noise has a post: "The Long and Winding Road". 
• Scott Ross reflects on the situation with Where Did We Lose The New York Times.
• The Baltimore Sun's blog Clef Notes and Drama Queens has its own comment.
• TheWrap.com covers the story here.
• By far, the best headline belongs to Lisa Hirsch at The Iron Tongue of Midnight: ">New York Times Loses its Mind.

The charge to return the critic to his former job is being led by new music composer Robert Schwimmer. Mr. Schwimmer started a Change.org petition to bring Allan Kozinn back to the duties he has performed at the Times for 35 years.
Here's the petition letter from Mr. Schwimmer's page: Allan Kozinn is one of the best all-around music critics today and a most crucial part of what has made the New York Times music articles and reviews such a incredible resource--The New York times without Allan Kozinn as music critic is unthinkable.
Finally the movement has acquired its own Facebook page: Save Kozinn.