It's hard to believe that the arrests of Amy Goodman and other journalists at the Republican National Convention occurred only three months ago. While I believe all the Democracy Now staff related charges were dropped I believe others still face prosecution after they were arrested at other venues.
In particular I understand some anarchists face prosecution under a fascist Minnesota law that wreaks of the third reich. They could face years of imprisonment. Information on them was gathered by the class enemy who infiltrated their democratic committees. They were arrested in the style perfected behind the now extinct Iron Curtain nations in the good ole days, at home in the middle of the night.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar Released All Face Charges
I'll just reprint the Democracy Now press release below. It seems there was something of a police riot and the Twin Cities should be held liable. Instead they are charging the people that the police victimized.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2008
Contact:
Mike Burke: mike@democracynow.org
**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.
Video of Amy Goodman's Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
= = = = = = = = =
ABOUT DEMOCRACY NOW!
Democracy Now! airs on over 650 radio and TV stations, including
Pacifica, NPR, community, and college radio stations; on public
access, PBS, satellite TV stations (DISH network: Free Speech TV
ch. 9415 and Link TV ch. 9410; DIRECTV: Link TV ch. 375); on the World
Radio Network's European Service and on the Community Broacasting
Association of Australia service; as a "podcast", automatically
downloaded to your computer or portable audio player; and streams live
M-F at 8am EST at www.democracynow.org
WHY DEMOCRACY NOW IS NECESSARY
When we see the real lack of coverage of the Republican Convention it seems that Democracy Now is almost the only new organization reporting on the real news.
Then you see Democracy Now and other journalists arrested with demonstrating citizens. There is darn little democracy on the streets of America today. You have the right to be pepper sprayed, tazed and dragged on your face to a paddy wagon.
More importantly we must remember that if their is a coup against the current Constitutional government of the United States it would likely begin with the arrest of authentic journalists. Fox and the networks know how to serve power and be good fascists. Real journalists do not.
So arresting the journalists that report reality rather than propaganda is a sign. It is a warning. Not this time?
We need a democratic revolution in the United States and I suppose anyone reporting on the tyranny in the streets of Minneapolis-St. Paul is going to be unpopular with the ruling elites. Their well armed thugs do their job of repressing the people, just like China!
They don't want the way the RNC chooses its candidates, via a secret meeting of millionaires and billionaires. Too late, RNC. Too late. You are naked before the world!
They don't want the way the Iraq war is a crime and a catastrophe to be revealed. What wonderful discipline to see Amy and the whole staff continuing to report after these arrests. It should inspire millions to get off their rear ends.
Then you see Democracy Now and other journalists arrested with demonstrating citizens. There is darn little democracy on the streets of America today. You have the right to be pepper sprayed, tazed and dragged on your face to a paddy wagon.
More importantly we must remember that if their is a coup against the current Constitutional government of the United States it would likely begin with the arrest of authentic journalists. Fox and the networks know how to serve power and be good fascists. Real journalists do not.
So arresting the journalists that report reality rather than propaganda is a sign. It is a warning. Not this time?
We need a democratic revolution in the United States and I suppose anyone reporting on the tyranny in the streets of Minneapolis-St. Paul is going to be unpopular with the ruling elites. Their well armed thugs do their job of repressing the people, just like China!
They don't want the way the RNC chooses its candidates, via a secret meeting of millionaires and billionaires. Too late, RNC. Too late. You are naked before the world!
They don't want the way the Iraq war is a crime and a catastrophe to be revealed. What wonderful discipline to see Amy and the whole staff continuing to report after these arrests. It should inspire millions to get off their rear ends.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Free Amy Goodman Immediately! Free the Democracy Now 3 Journalists Immediately!
The arrest of three journalists in St. Paul, Minnesota, puts the lie to the wonderful fantasyland portrayed by Prairie Home Companion on NPR. More than fifty people were arrested today. The nifty crackers up north put a knife in your back with a gentle smile, not wanting to be rude.
AMY GOODMAN and two Democray now producers have also been arrested. They were merely doing their journalistic coverage.
Just like Peking! Except in China you are usually arrested before you appear on the street. Here you get walk down the street a while and then you get arrested.
This is the so-called, bs democracy of the status quo.
This is the democracy of McCain and the militarists.
Someone should contact Mandela immediately and sympathetic governments throughout the world.
Free the St. Paul 53, Fighting to be free!
AMY GOODMAN and two Democray now producers have also been arrested. They were merely doing their journalistic coverage.
Just like Peking! Except in China you are usually arrested before you appear on the street. Here you get walk down the street a while and then you get arrested.
This is the so-called, bs democracy of the status quo.
This is the democracy of McCain and the militarists.
Someone should contact Mandela immediately and sympathetic governments throughout the world.
Free the St. Paul 53, Fighting to be free!
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