By Amy Goodman
ICH
04/09/08 “TruthDig”
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Government crackdowns on journalists are a true threat to democracy. As the Republican National Convention meets in St. Paul, Minn., this week, police are systematically targeting journalists. I was arrested with my two colleagues, “Democracy Now!” producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar, while reporting on the first day of the RNC. I have been wrongly charged with a misdemeanor. My co-workers, who were simply reporting, may be charged with felony riot.
The Democratic and Republican national conventions have become very expensive and protracted acts of political theater, essentially four-day-long advertisements for the major presidential candidates. Outside the fences, they have become major gatherings for grass-roots movements – for people to come, amidst the banners, bunting, flags and confetti, to express the rights enumerated in the Constitution’s First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
[…]
via TruthDig
see
8 Members of RNC Activist Group Lodged with Terrorism Charges
RNC Dispatch #5 + Tom Morello on False Flag Terrorism + Unmarked police snatch protesters
Dem Now: Ron Paul Counter-Convention + Goodman Grills Police Chief
RNC 8 Charged with “Conspiracy to Riot in Furtherance of Terrorism”
ACLU Calls For Investigation Into Raids And Mass Arrests At RNC
Democracy Now!’s Report on Their Arrests
Amy Goodman Released After Illegal Arrest at RNC
Hot Day in St. Paul + Press Conference On Amy Goodman’s Arrest
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