Amy Goodman Violently Arrested Today at RNC
Story from Democracy Now site:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 1, 2008
Contact:
Dennis Moynihan
Mike BurkeST. PAUL, MN--Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman was unlawfully arrested in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota at approximately 5 p.m. local time. Police violently manhandled Goodman, yanking her arm, as they arrested her. Video of her arrest can be seen here.
Goodman was arrested while attempting to free two Democracy Now! producers who were being unlawfuly detained. They are Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. Kouddous and Salazar were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Goodman's crime appears to have been defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.
Ramsey County Sherrif Bob Fletcher told Democracy Now! that Kouddous and Salazar were being arrested on suspicion of rioting. They are currently being held at the Ramsey County jail in St. Paul.
Democracy Now! is calling on all journalists and concerned citizens to call the office of Mayor Chris Coleman and the Ramsey County Jail and demand the immediate release of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar. These calls can be directed to: Chris Rider from Mayor Coleman's office at 651-266-8535 and the Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0).
Democracy Now! stands by Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and condemns this action by Twin Cities law enforcement as a clear violation of the freedom of the press and the First Amenmdent rights of these journalists.
During the demonstration in which they were arrested law enforcement officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion grenades and excessive force. Several dozen others were also arrested during this action.
Amy Goodman is one of the most well-known and well-respected journalists in the United States. She has received journalism's top honors for her reporting and has a distinguished reputation of bravery and courage. The arrest of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar is a transparent attempt to intimidate journalists from the nation's leading independent news outlet.
Democracy Now! is a nationally-syndicated public TV and radio program that airs on over 700 radio and TV stations across the US and the globe.
THIS IS FROM ALLISON KILKENNY'S
UPDATE:
Goodman was arrested along with Democracy Now producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. As of 9:15 PM EST, the Ramsey County jail has charged Goodman with "conspiracy to riot" and released her, but is still detaining Kouddous and Salazar. No charges have been pressed against them.
Laurie, the phone operator at the County Jail says she "hopes charges will be presented within the hour." As of right now, Kouddous and Salazar are being held without charges.9:50 PM EST: Kouddous and Salazar are still being held without charges. Laurie, the operator, now expects a few hours to expire before they are officially charged with a crime. She claims the slow process is due to an unusually high number of arrests coupled with many detainees using pseudonyms. More than 100 people were arrested along with Goodman and her producers.
Early reports indicate Kouddous and Salazar were originally arrested on suspicion of rioting .
11:00PM EST: The Ramsey County Jail redirected me to something called the "Joint Information Center." Under a little pressure, the operator finally revealed his name (Sgt. William Palmer,) though he asked for my name (had me spell it twice) and asked for my phone number in exchange. Friendly stuff.
Palmer informed me that Kouddous and Salazar will be held in jail overnight until they are taken to court tomorrow. No one knows what they are being charged with, but Palmer attributes their arrest to "suspicious behavior."
Kouddous and Salazar are still being held without any formal charges.
11:33PM: Kouddous and Salazar have been released. Sgt. William Palmer called me back and said they have been released with "Pending complaints," which essentially means they were not charged while in custody, but may yet be charged with some felony at a later date.
12:00AM: Democracy Now! has posted this update:
Democracy Now!'s Amy Goodman, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar Released After Illegal Arrest at RNC
Goodman Charged with Obstruction; Felony Riot Charges Pending Against Kouddous and Salazar
ST. PAUL--Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman and producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar have all been released from police custody in St. Paul following their illegal arrest by Minneapolis Police on Monday afternoon.
All three were violently manhandled by law enforcement officers. Abdel Kouddous was slammed against a wall and the ground, leaving his arms scraped and bloodied. He sustained other injuries to his chest and back. Salazar's violent arrest by baton-wielding officers, during which she was slammed to the ground while yelling, "I'm Press! Press!," resulted in her nose bleeding, as well as causing facial pain. Goodman's arm was violently yanked by police as she was arrested.
On Tuesday, Democracy Now! will broadcast video of these arrests, as well as the broader police action. These will also be available on: www.democracynow.org
Goodman was arrested while questioning police about the unlawful detention of Kouddous and Salazar who were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Goodman's crime appears to have been defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher told Democracy Now! that Kouddous and Salazar were arrested on suspicion of rioting, a felony. While the three have been released, they all still face charges stemming from their unlawful arrest. Kouddous and Salazar face pending charges of suspicion of felony riot, while Goodman has been officially charged with obstruction of a legal process and interference with a "peace officer."
Democracy Now! forcefully rejects all of these charges as false and an attempt at intimidation of these journalists. We demand that the charges be immediately and completely dropped.
Democracy Now! stands by Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and condemns this action by Twin Cities' law enforcement as a clear violation of the freedom of the press and the First Amendment rights of these journalists.
During the demonstration in which the Democracy Now! team was arrested, law enforcement officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion grenades and excessive force against protesters and journalists. Several dozen demonstrators were also arrested during this action, including a photographer for the Associated Press.
Amy Goodman is one of the most well-known and well-respected journalists in the United States. She has received journalism's top honors for her reporting and has a distinguished reputation of bravery and courage. The arrest of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and the subsequent criminal charges and threat of charges are a transparent attempt to intimidate journalists.
Democracy Now! is a nationally-syndicated public TV and radio program that airs on over 700 radio and TV stations across the US and the globe.
Mayor Chris Coleman can be contacted at: 651-266-8510 or e-mailed at: https://mn-stpaul.civicplus.com/forms.asp?FID=69
Governor Tim Pawlenty can be reached at: (651) 296-3391 or e-mailed at tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us
Ramsey County Jail: 651-266-9350
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This is a disgrace. And it has received no coverage from the MSM.
I cannot believe how man supporters of autocratic government are here. I just can't believe it.
We have, (willfully or not) forgotten our glorious past. We have no viable history. We are truly lost. What real history were you taught over the last 3 decades? Our familys, communities, schools and traditions have been sabotaged and subverted to serve the corporate world view. We sold it all down the river for the chance to be "real" consumers.
Does any one here really know the how and why of the need for unions, or the right to freely assemble, other than the Nixon, Reagan view so much in vogue now? The meaning of lawful dissent? The need for a viable fourth estate, the press, for democracy to not wither on the vine.
Take a good look now, after this "election" it could be your last.
I've been immensely disappointed in the fourth estate. This site included for not placing this story on its front page.
What effects one of us effects all of us, this is unjustifiable.
Now we know how N a z i Germany was allowed to arise!
Welcome to:
The REPUBLIKAN STATES OF AMERIKA!
No dissent needed. Everyone just think of their corporate careers and that is all. Ignore the homeless in the streets. That is the Republican vision for America.
"Attempting to free" means she was impeding officers. That's one law broken right there. Then she resisted arrest. She deserved to get roughed up.
Quite frankly I wonder why this piece is on the site since it's using words like she was "unlawfully arrested". Says who?
She wanted to speak to a commanding officer, because two reporters were arrested. It is standard procedure at protests.
She attempted to explain the situation and the police didn't listen.
Guess what? The police don't have time to debate the 1st Amendment in a near-riot situation. And Goodman knows that because she's experienced. She was causing danger
by trying to distract the police and whip up people who might have taken up the chant against the arrest. If you don't understand all this, then just argue with a cop the next time you see him making what to you is an improper arrest.
Shame on those mean old police. Meanwhile, unknown to Amy, people are slashing tires and breaking storefront glass. All in the name of democracy.
Says who? Says the organization of which Ms. Goodman is the head honcho. You can always rely in the impartiality of those reporting on one of their own.
"Badges?"
Amy was covered with badges indicating she was a reporter with high security clearance. She was asking questions and demanding answers. That what real reporters do.
Amy Goodman was arrested for being a reporter.
"We don't pay attention to no stinking badges!"
"We don't need no stinkin' badges!"
"Amy was covered with badges indicating she was a reporter with high security clearance. "
This is one of the goofiest comments I have ever seen. Look, genius, next time there is riot just show the cops your ACLU card and barge right trough them.
See what happens when you grant legal rights to journalists??? Didn't Bush get rid of those pesky Constitutional Amendments?
"Suspicion of rioting."
They couldn't tell?
Rioting is one of those things that is either evident or not happening.
Perhaps a new kind of surreptitious rioting has been developed which you can't tell is happening until you investigate further.
Hmmmm.
Dictionary says a "riot" is "a public act of violence by an unruly mob."
Hard to miss I would say.
Did the police lose their minds or just what ever ethics they have - which seemingly may not be much?
Too bad.
There sure seems to be a lot of people commenting on this blog who were never taught right from wrong when they were a young age. These posters who condemn protesters as violators of the peace are among the most dangerous people in America. Ignorant of the rights they enjoy. Ignorant to the point of being content not to have them. Supportive of authority run rampant. This is how repression begins - with ignorance.
"These posters who condemn protesters as violators of the peace are among the most d
So slashing tires and breaking the windows of some business is what, a test for a merit badge in the democratic party?
Did you see the St. Paul Police pepper spraying a girl holding a flower, offering it to them...the
Man I would never go to or play St. Paul after this oppression
Why is this story not the headline story?
This is important to every person who cares about civil liberties?
It will be interesting to see from now on.
Welcome to the New Amerikan Police state,
ABC News Reporter arrestedd in Denver during Democratic Convention waiting for big wig dems and lobbyists to exit hotel, and as I understand Denver had "Freedom Cages" set up far from the Convention for those wishing to exercise their right to assemble and free speech.
http://abc
Not a dime's worth of difference between GOP and Democrats, BTW who voted for telecom immunity and expansion of FISA?
This turns my stomach! When journalists covering a newsworthy street protest are manhandled, abused, arrested, and charged with "suspicion of felony riot", a dangerous line has been crossed! Not only were the constitutional rights of these journalists violated, but so were yours, mine, and ours!!!! The journalists have every right to cover the news, and we have every right to see or read their coverage. Does anyone REALLY believe the news team showed up to incite a riot??!??
If the crowd was really on the verge of rioting, don't you think the cops should have been protecting the news team, rather than blaming them?
And who ordered this kind of fascist response to the demonstrators? Was it the DA? Police Commissioner? Mayor? or a more cynical force, such as ...perhaps
Every American ought to be outraged at this footage! The responsible parties must be taken to task. THIS IS AMERICA!! Not Russia! I can't wait for the lawsuits! C'mon ACLU! And other protectors of the Constitution! you saw it! Donate your services, for the good of all Americans.
And remind me, NEVER go to the Twin Cities!
It's the same kind of crap that went down in in New York in 2004 -- which, by the way, I think is still in litigation.
The NYC taxpayers paid for the lame tactics of their Police State employees.
Goodman is one of a disappearing breed: the professional journalist. Wow, she is such a frail woman, though--physically only.
The police need to show judgement with people obviously attempting to engage in dialogue. It was a poor display of force on their part and a totally unnecessary arrest.
The only obligation law enforcement has is to take control of a situation and get home alive. They don't know who Amy Goodman is, and they don't need to take chances. If she did nothing wrong, then she'll be let go.
False arrest is BS. Tghese cops should have to pay the lawsuit out of their own pockets.
Outrageous! Another freedom ripped to shreds on the orders of the GOP
http://www
Above is the account of what happened to the two producers and subsequently to Amy.
It does recall:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out -
because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out -
because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out -
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me.
These were called "pre-emptive" arrests and raids- with the intimidation and violent tactics (gas masks, riot gear, random arrests and harassment of the press) we are witnessing the same tactics used to oppress and brutalize Iraquis or "terrorists" held without due process ar Gitmo.
It's finally turned inwards on AMerican citizens.
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