RNC: Protest Amy Goodman/Journalist arrests
By Bruce B. Brugmann
Coming to work this morning, I listened with outrage to the Thom Hartmann radio program on Air America (960AM) and his chilling interview with Amy Goodman, who detailed her arrest with her Democracy Now/Pacifica Radio/KPFA crew at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.
Here are the details of this important story the mainstream media is paying scant attention to. And what you can do about it. Watch for protests from the Society of Professional Journalists and other journalism and free press organizations.
Free Press Action Alert:
Yesterday, police in St. Paul arrested several journalists, including Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman and an AP photographer as they were covering protests of the Republican National Convention.
Stand Up for Independent Journalism
Amy Goodman and others were released last night, but the story is not over.
We need you to cosign our public letter demanding that press intimidation cease immediately, and that all charges be dropped. It will be delivered immediately to St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, the RNC Host Committee and the local prosecuting attorneys. We need 10,000 signatures in the next 24 hours, so please take action now:
Sign the Letter: Drop All Charges Against Journalists
In addition to these arrests, police with firearms drawn raided a meeting of the video journalists' group I-Witness and arrested independent media, bloggers and videomakers. We’re also receiving late-breaking reports of other arrests.
By signing this letter, you’re sending a powerful message: Officials must rein in aggressive and violent tactics by local law enforcement, stop the targeting of journalists and immediately drop all charges against them.
Reporting by independent journalists is vital to a functioning democracy. Americans must have access to diverse sources of information to hold their leaders accountable. Journalists must be free to do their jobs without intimidation.
Please Take Action by Signing this Letter
Don’t wait. We need a free press now more than ever. Tell your friends and take action now!
Thank you,
Josh Silver
Executive Director
Free Press
www.freepress.net
1. Watch the video of Goodman's arrest.
2. See other journalists being arrested as reported by UpTake.
4. Learn more about the arrest of an ABC News producer during the Democratic Convention in Denver.
5. Watch the video of the police raid of I-Witness journalists (Caution: strong language).
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Comments (6)
Democracy now is reaping what they sow by supporting the likes of Joe Biden. They see nothing wrong with supporting individuals who promote a police state and denial of due process as long as men are oppressed via injustice to promote illegal immigration and radical women's advocacy groups.
Democracy now needs to oppose the likes of Joe Biden if they oppose what happened to this liberal Amy Goodman. I believe this arrest was kharmically justified.
Stop Joe Biden! Stop the Police State! Stop VAWA Based immigration fraud... Arrest more liberals that don't see the police state they perpetuate.
Posted by Sean Moffett | September 2, 2008 03:16 PM
Arresting Amy Goodman and her producers is a violation of the freedom of the press and the First Amendment rights of these journalists.
Are the police attempting to intimidate journalists who cover the protests? Or are they trying to keep news and video of excessive force from being exposed?
@ Sean Moffett: In what way does Democracy Now! support Biden? Please provide your source. (Their website is searchable.) I am a daily viewer and have never seen evidence to support your claim.
Posted by Mary | September 2, 2008 03:31 PM
The police did one thing wrong, they released her!
Posted by Chad | September 2, 2008 04:11 PM
Chad, it will be you next. This is the Republican party today. It is no longer the party of the people. The raids were well planned before they were carried out by the police. they were not in response to any provocation by the press.
The raids were planned long before the convention came to town to disrupt and intimidate.
Again Chad, don't call me from jail. I will assume that the police did the right thing.
Posted by Dufus | September 3, 2008 04:27 AM
People who believe they are above the law get no sympathy from me. She's obnoxious.
Posted by Mary | September 3, 2008 06:09 AM
Amy Goodman is an Obama supporter... Joe Biden is Obama's running mate... Joe Biden is proud of founding laws that allow men to be arrested and denied due process.
Posted by Sean Moffett | September 3, 2008 12:44 PM