Team Conan to Protest at KARE 11

MINNEAPOLIS - Local supporters of Conan O'Brien are planning a protest outside the KARE 11 studio in Minneapolis in response to NBC's decision to move Jay Leno back to the Tonight Show, pushing Conan out.

According to the Wall Street Journal, O'Brien signed a buyout agreement early Thursday with NBC, allowing Jay Leno to reclaim his spot on the Tonight Show. The deal was expected to include roughly $32 million for O'Brien and another $12 million for his staff.

Minnesota Facebook members are planning to protest outside KARE 11, the local NBC affiliate, from 4:20 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22.

"Leno had his time with the Tonight Show and our dear Coco has more than paid his dues in Late Night land," organizers said on the rally's Facebook page. "Let's celebrate Coco's years of service by supporting his dream of being the host of the Tonight Show! East Coast and West Coast aren't the only folks who are coocoo for Coco, so let's show some Midwest support already!"

The group says they plan to also use the event to raise money for Haiti through the Red Cross disaster relief fund. Organizers of the protest stressed their intentions to keep the rally peaceful.

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=260225830414&index=1