Update: Democracy Now’s Amy Goodman, Others, Released After Illegal Arrest at RNC

[Hissyspit]

Source: Democracy Now

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 1, 2008
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.

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.”

Read more: http://www.DemocracyNow.org/blog/2008/9/1/update_democracy_now_s_amy_goodman_sharif_abdel_kouddous_and_nicole_salazar_released_after_illegal_arrest_at_rnc

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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

[npk]

1. K & R

Thanks for the update Hissyspit.

[DogPoundPup]

2. A/P reporter caught up in the ILLEGAL ARREST Hmmmm.... Fournier will be outraged

just kidding

[mike_c]

3. recommended....

Those folks garner a lot of respect.

[liberalmuse]

4. I'm still calling the Mayor's office.

The YouTube video I saw of the arrest was very disturbing. I'm glad she and her colleagues have been released. I can't wait to hear her next show on this!

[PatrynXX]

16. very disturbing

So why didn't that idiot from Faux news not get arrested for trying to incite a riot when he was intentionally provoking the activists in denver? (whereby every starting shouting f**k faux news....) which played right into faux news hands. That guy had more obvious signs of inciting a riot.

[npk]

5. This sounds more and more like "excessive force"

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.

Slamming someone against the wall and to the ground, causing personally injury is was to excessive in my book to arrest two reporters. Neither presented any threat to the police. How can the police justify their actions.

[valerief]

6. Kick

:kick:

[DogPoundPup]

7. The protester's legal HQ has been running an information 'twitter'

http://twitter.com/coldsnaplegal

[samsingh]

8. what about suspicion that these police idiots are just that or

fascists, or repug lovers, or America haters.

[samsingh]

9. what about suspicion that these police idiots are just that or

fascists, or repug lovers, or America haters.

[Karl_Bonner_1982]

10. Just curious....what is the maximum sentence for felony riot in Minnesota?

If it is more years than the fingers on my left hand, then this really could turn into a political prisoner scandal on par with Eugene Debs.

[sasquatch]

11. Every officer that participates in this fiasco should be shunned from the human community

[eowyn_of_rohan]

27. It is so upsetting to see local police & the City of St Paul going along with this!

truly sickening that none stand up and refuse to carry out these illegal arrests and violent attacks on peaceful protestors, journalists et al...

[Dystopian]

12. K&R

Fuckin pigs.

[RyanClark]

13. Great news

At least they're out soon enough to presumably be able to do their newscast tomorrow and tell us about it.

[metacrat]

14. smaller government, bigger police state...

[EFerrari]

15. Call the mayor ANYWAY on Tuesday.

We can't just sit here and let these mfers get away with this.

[Doug.Goodall]

17. Notice to people who want to protest Republicans: If you are effective, you will be arrested

Mean while, the Main Stream Media just goes on and on about how effective the Bush administration has been dealing with Gustav

[Danger Mouse]

18. Dear lord, what the hell is wrong with them?

Jackboots on too tight? :puke:

[Hissyspit]

19. .

[bananas]

20. Amy Goodman Free From Jail -- And Tell Us About It (Video)

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

"Democracy Now" host Amy Goodman was arrested Monday during the demonstration outside the Republican National Convention. She was freed Monday night and we caught up with her. Here's her story:
(video)


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=14&entry_id=29751

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This was shortly after her release Monday night.

[SavageDem]

21. Arrrrrrrrr ggggggggggg hhhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!!

My city is turning into a police state! I can't believe this is happening here.

[The Wizard]

22. The police actions

show just how desperate the Republicans are to embrace a secret government.

[VeraAgnes]

26. I think they need media attention

and this is a desperate source of getting media.

[bananas]

23. Amy Goodman talks about arrest (FSTV)

Source: FSTV

Amy Goodman discusses her arrest by St. Paul police just hours earlier on Crash the Party segment from Free Speech TV.


Read more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THMVJQUGJLM

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GD thread http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x179707

[knitter4democracy]

25. Just left a message at Mayor Coleman's office.

They're not answering the phones yet up there, but I hope they get slammed with calls from all over about how freakin' awful this is. Is this the USSR or the USA?!

[knitter4democracy]

24. There aren't enough cuss words for that.

Just plain not enough in the English language.