Minneapolis police officers with the Ramsey County Sheriff put the free press in jeopardy Monday, Sept. 1st, by arresting three journalists while they covered public protests in that city at the opening of the Republican National Convention.
The journalists are producers Nicole Salazar, Abdel Kouddos and radio host Amy Goodman from Democracy Now! a nationally syndicated television and radio show that airs on over 700 stations around the world.
Colleagues of Goodman and her producers say the two producers were arrested while covering public demonstrations. Goodman was arrested by members of the local sheriff's department dressed in riot gear when she tried to approach officers to seek the release of her two co-workers.
So far the corporate media has refused to cover the story of Goodman's arrest along with two of her co-workers.
The sheriff, Bob Fletcher, accused the two producers of participating in the demonstrations, though no evidence of such activities has been produced.
According to a Democracy Now! press statement condemning the arrest of journalists covering the events by the sheriff's deputies, the officers may have mistreated Goodman. "Police violently manhandled Goodman, yanking her arm, as they arrested her," the show's spokespersons stated.
The statement also called 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)."
The statement further described the sheriff's department's anti-protester tactics: "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."
A video of the arrest appears to show sheriff's deputies ignoring her attempts to identify herself as a journalist and her requests to speak with higher authorities about the whereabouts of her colleagues. The officers than appear to shout at her to get back and subsequently grab her violently by the arms, handcuff her, all the while shouting down her protests.
Readers can sign a letter to the Minneapolis mayor demanding all charges be dropped here: http://www.freepress.net/.
