walidah ([info]badsis) wrote,
@ 2008-09-01 20:58:00
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Amy Goodman Arrested - Has the World Gone Fucking Insane?
It's seriously getting to the point where I am bracing myself when I'm opening up my email now. I just received this forward, Democracy Now journalist Amy Goodman was arrested at the RNC. I'm guessing they have no idea of the shitstorm they have unleashed. I want to sit down and write a coherent thoughtful heartfelt entry about everything that's been happening politically that's touched my soul this week, from Gustav to Bashir Hameed passing, to the anniversary of Hasan Shakur's murder, to all of the ongoing carnage around the world in every corner... But right now, I think I'll just leave it with this. Call and support independent journalists, they are far too few, and clearly they are under attack.

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 unlawfuly 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 Sherrif 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 Amenmdent rights of these journalists.

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



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[info]djshiva
2008-09-02 04:45 am UTC (link)
Wow. Earlier in the day there was a raid on the house where Democracy Now producer Eileen Clancy was gathered with other independent media.

http://www.alternet.org/rights/97110/rnc_raids_have_been_targeting_video_activists_/

The warrant was issued for a different address (the other half of a duplex, is that even legal???) and carried out with the intent of finding "weapons". I mean, seriously. WTF?

When the police are used to carry out raids and arrests of journalists, then my worst nightmares are coming true. And people wonder why I call this country "fascist". The proof is in the pudding.

Have you read Naomi Wolf's "The End of America" yet? Great book, highly recommended if you have not read it.

Thanks for this update. I just got home and read about this.

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[info]badsis
2008-09-04 12:49 am UTC (link)
thanks for the info on the raids, i remember when the same thing happened in philly with the rnc. then it was puppets. puppets are a serious threat to national security, with their paper mache heads and their glass eyes. those evil evil glass eyes...

i'll have to check out the naomi wolf book...

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[info]djshiva
2008-09-04 02:18 am UTC (link)
LOL @ those evil evil glass eyes.

i almost spit my drink on my puter screen at that one. :)

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[info]caphe
2008-09-02 10:03 pm UTC (link)
Yep. Check out my latest post.

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