Amy Goodman: Why We Were Falsely Arrested

[marmar]

from Truthdig:



Why We Were Falsely Arrested

Posted on Sep 3, 2008
By Amy Goodman

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Government crackdowns on journalists are a true threat to democracy. As the Republican National Convention meets in St. Paul, Minn., this week, police are systematically targeting journalists. I was arrested with my two colleagues, Democracy Now! producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar, while reporting on the first day of the RNC. I have been wrongly charged with a misdemeanor. My co-workers, who were simply reporting, may be charged with felony riot.

The Democratic and Republican national conventions have become very expensive and protracted acts of political theater, essentially four-day-long advertisements for the major presidential candidates. Outside the fences, they have become major gatherings for grass-roots movements—for people to come, amidst the banners, bunting, flags and confetti, to express the rights enumerated in the Constitution’s First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Behind all the patriotic hyperbole that accompanies the conventions, and the thousands of journalists and media workers who arrive to cover the staged events, there are serious violations of the basic right of freedom of the press. Here on the streets of St. Paul, the press is free to report on the official proceedings of the RNC, but not to report on the police violence and mass arrests directed at those who have come to petition their government, to protest.

It was Labor Day, and there was an anti-war march, with a huge turnout, with local families, students, veterans and people from around the country gathered to oppose the war. The protesters greatly outnumbered the Republican delegates.

There was a positive, festive feeling, coupled with a growing anxiety about the course that Hurricane Gustav was taking, and whether New Orleans would be devastated anew. Later in the day, there was a splinter march. The police—clad in full body armor, with helmets, face shields, batons and canisters of pepper spray—charged. They forced marchers, onlookers and working journalists into a nearby parking lot, then surrounded the people and began handcuffing them. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080903_why_we_were_falsely_arrested/

[silverweb]

1. K&R

This is a huge story and hopefully will explode into the MSM for long and thorough exposure.

Our Constitution has been trashed almost beyond recognition for nearly eight years now. We've survived so far but if we lose the 1st Amendment, the United States of America is dead.

[screembloodymurder]

2. We have a police state.

It's violent and it's chilling.

[EFerrari]

10. It's not just hyperbole any more. You're right. n/t

[Junkdrawer]

3. K&R - Link to video of Amy's arrest...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ

[deutsey]

4. Go Amy. Just imagine if only a third of MSM journalists had her integrity...

[Junkdrawer]

7. It would be a completely different country...

Many more of the criminal in charge of our country would be behind bars and "The Rule of Law" would not be a cruel joke.

[Bozita]

5. The ACLU has got to step up to the plate for this series of abominations.

I'm so pissed off that keyboarding is difficult due to my shaking.

[aikoaiko]

6. .

[bertman]

8. . . . the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a

redress of their grievances.

Those fascist assholes spit on the Constitution.

Amy is a true heroine and American patriot. She and her crew are standing up for every one of us. Bless them all.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

9. Thank you for reporting. I hope for a major class action suit against fascist anti-journalist thugs.

[TexasObserver]

11. K&R

[The Wizard]

12. There's no nice way to say

NAZI

[malaise]

13. Wrong Amy

You were falsely arrested because the Minnesota police handed over control the the Department of Homeland Security. Please contemplate what that means for the November elections if the Department of Homeland Security takes control of all police. Perhaps that's why CDC ordered 500,000 coffins.

bold.

[PassingFair]

14. There were over 1,000 telephone calls made to the Police Dept....

I HEART YouTube!

[pleah]

15. K&R

[jwirr]

16. In 68 it was not the journalists being arrested but one thing very clear

is how the people in the bullpen - convention treated it. I remember setting at home watching what was going on in Chicago and ready to fight along side them. But the big difference was that many of the people inside were also upset. I specifically remember a Senator for Connecticut speaking directly to Mayor Daily and telling him to get his storm troopers under control. I am willing to bet there was no one at the RNC that bothered to say anything in favor of free speech and civil rights. That to me is the real shame here.

I also hope that Amy and others that were arrested sue and not just Minneapolis police. I want them to sue DHS for forcing local police to work against their own people.

[Disturbed]

17. Yes! Sue the Assholes!!!

:mad:

[TexasObserver]

18. Under Bush, the march to militarize and politicize police has been constant.

[malaise]

19. If M$M weren't so caught up in corporate interests

every journalist would be jumping on this story. If they think these goons will stop at Amy Goodman, thye don't have a clue about the evil that is Bushco, McWar et al.