St. Paul Mayor and Media Mum on Journalism Crackdown

In St. Paul this week, a new generation of media makers is under assault by the city's mayor and law enforcement officers.

These local officials think freedom of the press extends only to their allies in mainstream media.

For the rest of us, practicing journalism is a crime.

While reports of brutal police arrests and home invasions are still coming in, by Tuesday night the picture became clear. Dozens of journalists, photographers, bloggers and videomakers had been arrested in an orchestrated round up of independents covering the Republican National Convention.

Targeting the New Press

The list of those detained ranges from the well-known (Democracy Now's Amy Goodman) and well-established (Associated Press photographer Matt Rourke) -- to the bootstrapping bloggers and video makers who are covering local protests for TheUptake.org, Twin Cities Indymedia, I-Witness and other outlets.

Police -- with firearms drawn -- raided a meeting of the video journalists and arrested independent media, bloggers and videomakers. Journalists covering protests have been pointed out by authorities, blasted with tear gas and pepper spray, and brutalized while in custody.

Democracy Now's Goodman reports that a U.S. Secret Service agent ripped her press credentials from her neck the moment she identified herself to him as a member of the media. Her producers emerged yesterday from their jail cells bloodied and scarred, reporting unusually harsh treatment at the hands of local and federal authorities.

Mayor Coleman's Silence

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman hasn't responded to repeated phone and e-mail requests for comments on the targeting of journalists. Instead he praised the work of Police Chief John Harrington and painted those arrested as a small band of outsiders and vandals intent upon committing felonies against the good people of his city.

In less than a day, more than 35,000 people have signed a letter from Free Press (my employer) to Mayor Coleman condemning the arrests and demanding that he and local prosecutors immediately "free all detained journalists and drop all charges against them."

But when Salon.com's Glenn Greenwald pressed Harrington and Coleman to respond to widespread reports of journalist arrests, Harrington claimed ignorance while Coleman stood silent at his side.

Police spokesman Don Walsh intervened only to say that "arrest have been made" and that all those arrested were involved in criminal activities and not "simply non-participants."

Strib Forgets About Free Speech

In a bizarre editorial on Tuesday, the Minneapolis St. Paul Star Tribune hailed the police crackdown as "appropriate," blaming unrest on outsiders from beyond the Twin Cities.

"Many of those arrested in St. Paul weren't carrying IDs or wouldn't give their names. Those who were identified came from Lexington, Ky.; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Portland, Ore., and dozens of other U.S. cities," they wrote. "These weren't the sons and daughters of Highland Park and south Minneapolis."

The Star Tribune itself is owned by out-of-towners from Avista Capital Partners, a New York City private equity firm specializing in energy, healthcare and media investments.

Other than a brief story about Goodman's arrest, the paper has failed to report on the apparent targeting of independent reporters, even though groups like the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists have sounded the alarm.

Sweeping Real Journalism Under the Carpet

Here we have every indication of an orchestrated assault by federal and local law enforcement agencies to stifle independent sources of information. As shocking as this conduct is, more disturbing is the fact that the mayor's office and the local daily seem so unconcerned.

It's not difficult to understand why. With local leaders making every effort to roll out the welcome mat for mainstream media and the GOP, they'd rather sweep beneath the carpet those pesky independents who are showing us a side of the spectacle that is less scripted for prime time.

As an elected representative, Mayor Coleman should take a stand on behalf of a free press, rein in aggressive and violent tactics by local law enforcement, stop the targeting of journalists and immediately drop all charges against them.

As a powerful news organization, the Star Tribune should know better, and should be sticking up for a free press, regardless of the form it takes.

For now, the democratic spirit of journalism is alive not in the Star Tribune newsroom, but among the video-blogs and cellphone reports that are bubbling up from outside the convention.

Follow Timothy Karr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TimKarr

Comments

[tcs]

Chris Coleman should be held accountable. Anyone who thinks otherwise is fooling themselves about Chris COleman. He may not be that bright, but he brought this upon himself and he has chosen his actions, made his alliances and made his own bed. He could have been engaged in a dialogue like Councilmember Dave Thune, but instead Coleman decides to say things like "it was a great week" and "it was a "wonderful, wonderful week". He oversaw the tramplig of constitutional rights in St.Paul and he needs to be help accountable! A real leader would engage in dialogue, have gone out on the streets and talked to citizens. He did none of this. He hid in a command center and exxagerated stories and participated in fearmongering. He is out of touch and out of step with his electorate (and with the constitution). We recalled Randy Kelly, is Chris Coleman next? Those of us interested in democracy, free speech and basic human rights need to give this serious thought!

[Scarabus]

Don't forget a very important part of this story: The Republicans agreed to cover the first $10,000,000 in liability settlements against the police:

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2008/09/05/93407.htm

When you know you won't be held accountable, you're much less likely to worry about behaving legally and responsibly.

BTW, a police official told Amy Goodman that the way for reporters to ensure they wouldn't be manhandled and arrested was to be embedded with police units. Sound familiar?

[jackstpaul]

To reiterate my point that the Feds were in charge of security, I have very close knowledge about this.

One of my sister's best friends is an Asst. Chief in St. Paul; either # 2 or 3 in the dept. To keep St. Paul police from exercising too much control over what happened, she was assigned to run security at the airport. Yes, one of the top 3 cops for the city, hence extremely knowledgeable about it and other local law enforcement, e.g. Mpls, was kept out of the city. She texted my sister during the big march to let her know where trouble spots were and check on us.

A lot—not all--of this talk about the St. Paul police is misplaced blame. St. Paul police didn’t have authority to tell Mpls, Hennepin County, State patrol, other outside law enforcement what to do and make them play a role. The Feds did that. If you want to act to protest what happened and the abuse, get straight about who was responsible for what. Research. It’s not hard to find out that the feds led things.

This was part of the federal gov’t effort, esp. in the past 8 years, to militarize law making it part of the “war on terror” excuse for oppressing the people. Learn specifically where responsibility lies—FBI, SS, St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota state, Homeland Security. Otherwise you’re pissing in the wind.

[EnderW]

Clarification: For those NOT from Saint Paul, Randy Kelly was a DINO who turned out to be Bush's personal ass-buddy.

Saint Paul OVERWHELMINGLY kicked Kelly out of office and elected Coleman as a result. This made National news in 2005, Kelly being the ONLY incumbent DFL Mayor EVER defeated by another DFL candidate.

Kelly's own Senate District DFL (SD67! Go Mee!) organization was even plotting his demise at his own Perkins breakfast table on White Bear Ave. I was present at almost all such meetings.

[jackstpaul]

Right. Kelly endorsed Bush in '04. Skipped most--all?­--debates.

What I recall of the MSM is that they treated it like a big deal that a "Democratic'" mayor was defeated in "Democratic" St. Paul. You know contrary to Dem. support all over the country. I recall Chris Matthews being particularly dense about it. In the primary Kelly got killed, and I don't think he was so far ahead of the Green candidate (E.D.) Not even 10%?

Ender_W, I recall something about Kelly not being allowed to be part of the DFL State Fair presence. in '06. Or maybe just part of it. Something about an ice cream social comes to mind. Maybe something done by the DFL-Progressive Caucus. Do you recall?

[EnderW]

Could this be a case of former Randy Kelly supporters on the SPPD trying tomake Chris look bad?

If this is the case, why isn't Chris willing to talk?

Chris is up for reelection next year.

Of course, another scenario is that Chris is intending to run again WITHOUT A DFL ENDORSEMENT!

I'll have to call Stu and get the new Saint Paul DFL Chair's phone number, and run this past the new Chair. Stu chose to not run for City Chair this time around.

Either Chris is culpable, or he is getting bad advice. Most of the people in the Saint Paul DFL are QUITE INFORMED via the new media.

No matter from what angle Chris is taking here, if this continues, he will be running for reelection AGAINST the DFL Endorsee, whomever that may be (Hey Rafael Ortega, wanna run again? Take a stand NOW!).

[jackstpaul]

Thanks for the info. I hadn't heard about that stuff other than the major stories, and I'm connected/part of the Left here. The (lack of) coverage in both the local and national media is appalling

One thing to say, not in defense of what was done, is that the Feds ran the show re: law enforcement. About a year ago the Secret Service took over--as they supposedly do for all conventions--the show. Coleman is being irresponsible; the police report to him.

Problems of a lesser-journalism related topic is that there were hordes of cops from all over. A friend said he saw a Philly cop--what sort of accountability is there with a Philly cop in St. Paul? And rivalries among local law enforcement are a problem, e.g. Ramsey County Sherriff Bob Fletcher and St. Paul police are legendarily at odds, with "Fletch" trying to be one up on the city--where he had a weird end to his cop career. Wanted to be Chief and ran for Mayor once.

But the big things were obviously directed from centrally organized top-level decision makers.

[jshiffer]

I can't speak to the editorial, but the Star Tribune news staff hasn't been silent about the detainment and arrests of journalists, as well as questions about police tactics.

Pre-emptive raids: http://www.startribune.com/local/27703754.html?elr=KArksUUUU
Amy Goodman arrest: http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/conventions/27772579.html?elr=KArksUUUU
Security or repression? http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/conventions/27840754.html?elr=KArksUUUU
Final day of protests mentions journalist arrests: http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/conventions/27869459.html?elr=KArksUUUU

Finally, I have written about the targeting of journalists on my blog, www.startribune.com/whistleblower, and the current post is a list of the journalists who have been detained, arrested or charged. I invite you to let me know about other names you've heard,

James Eli Shiffer
Star Tribune

[Kevbo68]

My note to the St. Paul Convention and Visitors Authority: http://www.stpaulcvb.org/index.php?section=39&page=67

"I must inform you that the actions of the St. Paul police in arresting, roughing up and invading the homes of journalists and peaceful protesters is enough to discourage me from ever visiting St. Paul or patronizing its businesses."

Hit'em in the wallet. It's the only thing some politicians react to.

[notaaroncraig]

Good news .... the independent journalists from Pepperspray have finally been released, though the police have not yet returned their camera equipment.

[LCRover001]

Those who stand up will be hammered down.

The MSM is not talking about this because they are puppets.

There are not many talking about this because of fear, those that have been arrested are being charged and treated as terrorist.

There are a few groups who are out of line but the powers that be have used those groups to lump everyone into the same basket, the old saying one bad apple spoils the whole bunch.

How is it that we have become a country of red states and blue states?

As one candidate makes a call for unity and the other continues down the path of division and ask his supporters to remove their political party hats and put on their American hats only when there is a time of need but has the gall to claim his is the party that puts country first.

This country needs to be untied, but it will never be if the people continue to allow those who divide to do so for their own gain. These people do not do it for the country they do it for them selves. They do not serve those who elect them they serve a hidden power.

The more I see as time goes on the more I wonder if the movie They Live is real. I know it isn't but some days I shake my head and wonder what has America become.

[serena1313]

It is not just journalists getting arrested. While I do not know how many times it's happened, but I watched a video of 1 female who was just walking down the street get arrested. She was not protesting or part of the protests at all.

Whether at the request of the republicans or typical police behaviour either way it is frightening.

This is the world Bush/Cheney brought us. Expect it to get worse under McCain.

FYI: Murdoch wants to buy the NYTimes!

[leftie613]

THERE IS MASSIVE POLICE OPPRESSION GOING ON OUTSIDE THE RNC ALL WEEK. Journalists arrested, bloodied, held at gunpoint, their cameras and computers absconded with... so that they cannot document the OTHER police abuses of unconstitutional raids; seizures of property; unlawful arrests; use of tear gas, pepper spray, smoke bombs, concussion grenades, and rubber bullets against peaceful protesters. Read about all this at the Democracy Now website -- including how national broadcast host Amy Goodman was illegally arrested -- and at truthout.org. Also another HuffPo writer's piece Sept. 3rd...Timothy Karr's "St Paul Mayor and Media Mum on Journalism Crackdown"

Protest organizations are begging people in the rest of the country to call the local authorities in the twin cities and object strongly to the totally disproportionate, oppressive, unconstitutional (and clearly, politically motivated) police abuses.

It's not easy to get through, so here's a variety of numbers:

St Paul complaints line: 651-266-8989
St Paul Mayor Chris Coleman's office: 651-266-8510
Chris Rider in St Paul Mayor Chris Coleman's office: 651-266-8535
Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak's office: 612-673-2100
Ramsey County Sheriff's office: 651-266-7300 or 651-487-5149
Ramsey County Jail: 651-266-9350

To request that wrongful charges be dropped:

Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner: 651-266-3222
Susan Gaertner for Governor: [phone], [phone]
St. Paul City Attorney John Choi: [phone]

[shamanbart]

Minnesotans should also call their representatives to request that funding be stopped for all tasers, tear gas, riot gear and other handy anti-American devices designed to shut down protests.

[clachman]

It makes me laugh when I hear people are surprised by the repressive tactics of the Republicans towards a free press. In the last eight years they have successfully done everything they can to stifle dissent by manipulating the mainstream media into reporting pretty much what they want. The whole idea that news is now entertainment and must show a profit conveniently feeds into that manipulation and therefore, because news outlets are afraid of offending anyone, the truth suffers.
Don't be shocked when independent news organizations like Democracy Now try and uncover the truth behind what's going on at the Republican Convention and get crushed? As far as I can tell the Republicans crush anyone who gets in their way regardless of who they are.They use fear to keep people compliant and when that doesn't work they use intimidation. Of course this is a fascist state, but no one seems to care as long as they have their plasma TV 's and their Hummer's and the rest of the crap the corporate pokice state furnishes us with to keep us quiet.
Look what happened to CNN when a reporter asked too many questions about Sarah Palin? McCain cancelled his interview with Larry King. See what I mean by intimidation? It takes all forms: some subtle but mostly not so subtle. It's time the media stand up and speak out before we're all brain dead. Oops, my mistake: the vast majority of us already are.

[WorkingClass]

If this is the doing of Republicans, why don't the Democrats (at least) speak out. Has Obama said anything about this. When the Republicans are gone and you are still living in a police state, who you gonna blame?

[RRK70]

Next Olympics should have a new event in Media Suppression. Those MN police look to be in top form, I don't think the Chinese could hold a candle to them!

[tompoe]

Timothy: Thanks for the alert to the ownership of the Star Tribune. If one needs to point to the death of mainstream media, and the dawning of corporate media, this fact shouts it out, loud and clear. Hopefully, the day is near when there will be a site that addresses a petition for protection of journalists. What better way to do so than put up a site where we can sign up, declaring that our vote will not go to any ticket that has a Republican running. When the Democrats are elected, the site can then adjust the wording to reflect our vote goes to that candidate that runs on a platform to continue full protection for journalists.