Monday, September 1, 2008

Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now Arrested at RNC



You tube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.democracynow.org

Amy Goodman and Two Democracy Now! Producers Unlawfully Arrested At the RNC

September 1, 2008

Contact:
Denis Moynihan 917-549-5000
Mike Burke 646-552-5107, mike@democracynow.org

ST. 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: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ

Goodman was arrested while attempting to free two Democracy Now! producers who were being unlawfully 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 Sheriff 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 Amendment rights of these journalists.

During the demonstration in which they were arrested law enforcement office 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.

Video of Amy Goodman's Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ

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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

You have to obey the police when they tell you NOT to cross a line or you will be arrested. Amy is no exception. Good job for the police!

Anonymous said...

The stories are unreal. The police broke into the attic of the home of the journalists...of course we don't need warrants anymore in Bush's America.
They tear-gassed journalists on the street who weren't "crossing a line".
What's frightening is that Sheep-people like anonymous actually applaud such blatant human rights violations.

Anonymous said...

You are clueless and show that you have never been outside your little world. But then again, Kool Aid has similar effects. If you want to see human rights violations, see what happens when law and order are not enforced and you have the likes of anarchists who will not think twice of violating your rights, property or freedom of choice!

ed notes online said...

"If you want to see human rights violations, see what happens when law and order are not enforced and you have the likes of anarchists who will not think twice of violating your rights, property or freedom of choice!"

I remember reading this somewhere. The writings of Josef Stalin? Or maybe Mein Kamph! In the entire history of the world a lot more people have lost their freedom from jokers like you than from any anarchists!

Anonymous said...

Funny, but I've never experienced terror from the "likes of anarchists" either here or abroad.
But a blind follower of propaganda and rhetoric like you...
Man, you scare me more than anyone.