To nobody’s suprise, Democracy Now! announces that charges against journalist Amy Goodman and two other staff journalists arrested while doing their job covering protests at the Republican National Convention are being dropped by the City of St. Paul. Journalists intimidated. Mission accomplished…
Both announcements come two weeks after the conclusion of the Republican National Convention where over 40 journalists were arrested while reporting on protests taking place outside the convention center.
Upon learning of the news, Democracy Now! Host, Amy Goodman said, “It’s good that these false charges have finally been dropped, but we never should have been arrested to begin with. These violent and unlawful arrests disrupted our work and had a chilling effect on the reporting of dissent. Freedom of the press is also about the public’s right to know what is happening on their streets. There needs to be a full investigation of law enforcement activities during the convention.”
…
John Lundquist, attorney for the Democracy Now! journalists, said, “The most notable lapse by law enforcement during the RNC was the record-breaking number of journalists indiscriminately arrested and detained for doing nothing more than performing in the best tradition of reporters who gather the news.”
Chris Bowers has more thoughts on the arrests of journalists, and the dropped charges, and what he alleges amounted to ‘a deal’ of sorts between the RNC and the St. Paul cops.
Videos of DN! reporter Nicole Salazar being assaulted by the police (:23 seconds) and Goodman’s outrageous arrest while peacefully trying to learn what had happened to her reporters (:49 seconds), both follow below…
UPDATE: New footage was released late last week (said by the videographers to have been “buried” until now to avoid confiscation) of a bizarre mass arrest by St. Paul police. Scores of seemingly peaceful folks just sitting in a park are seeing being seized by riot squads. “LisaG,” posting at Firedoglake, notes:
Yep, I’m afraid they are.
UPATE 10/5/11: Minneapolis, St. Paul police departments and the Secret Service agree to $100,000 payment to settle federal lawsuits filed by journalists. More details now here…
She should counter-sue the shit out of them in a jury trial. A journalist’s JOB is to be present at an “unlawful” assembly. Take it all the way to the Supreme Court.
I suggest reading p.5, column 2 of The Nation for Sept.24. A short quote “The GOP host committee purchased insurance covering up to$10 million in damaged and “Unlimited legal costs” for police accused of “Brutality” and “Violating Civil Rights.” Seems to me that the Insurance Company should be forced to pay up. Teach them not to write asinine policies
From Chris Bowers’ post linked above:
I thought that was a bit of an exaggeration on Chris’s part until I saw the videos. Appalling.
What a bunch of thugs.
The PBS “Now” program, which had the story about Amy Goodman’s arrest, was preempted here by the worst infomercial I’ve ever seen, called “How To Stay Rich For Ever and Ever”, (no, I’m not kidding.) I was able to see it on the internet later, but lots of people will never even know this important episode was taken off.
Full investigation and full coverage is the way to go, but the some of the Democrats were not too happy to see Amy at their convention either.
America in the goddamned 21st century! Something I had dreams and hopes for not too long ago when Democrats were talking about a bridge there, or something. Even when they put Democratic governors in prison for running for office, they don’t seem to care anymore. What is happening?
Looks like an Ohio State rerun.
Our Governor was suiting police with body armor five years ago, which raised suspicions of fascist engineering and planning even then.
Did you see any Muslims terrorizing anyone there? Were there any reports of threats from Muslims, car-bombers, or foreign terrorists?
Will truth-seekers and honest journalists suffer ridicule, threats, intimidation, and be stalked and arrested to silence?
Weren’t journalists and political dissenters first to the ovens in Nazi Germany?
While focusing on tending the social ills of division, distrust, corruption and apathy”“”“ freedom loving Americans would be wise in finding ways to unite against tyranny before it’s too late.
Folks aren’t afraid of Muslims.
They’re afraid of Americans. Even globally, we’re the “bad guys.”
It’s a good charges against journalists were dropped. It won’t be the last time a truth-seeking journalist is intimidated or silenced.
But NOWHERE does the MSM mention MCDittos connection to organized crime. WHY?
RECALL THE MAYOR…. START THE RECALL ELECTION
NOW…………
I also posted this comment over on Raw Story:
Every legal avenue should be pursued. For example, stingers should demand compensation for lost wages. Claims should be filed for damaged equipment and lost images.
It it time for the voters of St Paul to recall Mayor Coleman. Follow the example of this web site from 2004 http://www.democraticundergroun...02×768070 about recalling then Mayor Kelly.
From http://www.stpaul.gov, Saint Paul to Conduct Independent Review of Public Safety Planning, Implementation during RNC Mayor Coleman announced Tuesday the appointment of attorneys Thomas Heffelfinger and Andy Luger to conduct an independent review of public safety planning and implementation during the Republican National Convention.
Sadly, even pre-911, this was happening. At the Democratic convention of 2000 in LA: http://www.aclu-sc.org/releases/view/100178
T’would be nice to regain faith in the American Justice System, but it appears to be corrupted often legally negating any chance for it’s own repair.
If these courageous journalists and citizens bring lawsuits and win, it will offer a twinkling of hope that change is indeed on the horizon.
We must stay tuned to the likes of Brad Blog and Raw Story to stay informed. You can bet MSM will not sensationalize this story or others like it.
MSM news delivers a candy-coated, delusional reality with a not-so-gloomy outlook to prevent panic and protect industry. MSM has shirked its responsibilities in conscientiously informing the public and thus continues its status quo paths in supporting and promoting criminals for election, reelection.
Political parties may choose the candidates, but MSM conceals the crimes, enjoying its status as the fourth branch of government.
These arrested citizens were non-compliant and it’s good to remember Ohio and Kent State, Ruby Ridge, Waco, GARY WEBB and other similar, “non-compliant” situations.
If the price tag for free speech is brutal arrest, destruction of personal pursuit of happiness, destruction of personal finances, family, friendships, and success, then please, somebody: clearly define democracy!
All the while privatized compliance industries prosper and flourish.
Justice, like so many other American industries, has become a racket.
(Great Investment!)
I would hope the ACLU would be interested in this case. It’s certainly a violation of all of our first amendment rights.
Seems like a perfect opportunity to post the lyrics of this classic by Buffalo Springfield and one of my favorite songs:
thanks you