NATO Kicks off With Harassment of Protesters, Ominous Warnings to Press

[xchrom]

http://www.thenation.com/blog/167966/nato-kicks-harassment-protesters-ominous-warnings-press

***SNIP

The theme of harassment continued over the weekend when a memo allegedly from the Chicago Police Department Office of International Relations, marked "NOT INTENDED FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION" was posted online.

The three-page document outlines press behavior that will and will not be tolerated, including normally acceptable media maneuvers that will no longer be considered acceptable and actually might be grounds for arrest.

"No 'cutting' in and out of police lines will be permitted, or 'going up against their backs,'" the document states, reportedly quoting Debra Kirby, chief of the Chicago Police Department Office of International Relations. "Those who follow protesters onto private property to document their actions are also will be subject to arrest if laws are broken."

Weaving in and out of police lines is a critical right for journalists, particularly photojournalists, who frequently need to pass police lines to document police actions, most often arrests.

[marmar]

1. Land of the (marginally) free, Home of the (Don't Be Too) Brave

nt

[nashville_brook]

2. k and r