Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! Arrested in St. Paul

by Emilio Lizardo | September 2, 2008 at 08:28 am

695 views | 57 Recommendations | 44 comments

Even though she had a floor pass to the GOP convention, Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! was arrested by pollice anyway.

Democracy Now! Host and Producers Arrested at Republican Convention
ST. PAUL -- Democracy Now! radio host Amy Goodman and two producers were arrested while covering demonstrations at the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn. Goodman was released after being held for over three hours, but is still waiting to hear when Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar would be released.

"I was down on the convention floor interviewing delegates when I heard that two of our producers had been arrested," said Goodman. "I ran down to Jackson and 7th Street, where the police had moved in."

Goodman said that when she ran up to find out what was going on, she was also arrested.

"They seriously manhandled me and handcuffed my hands behind my back. The top ID [at the convention] is to get on the floor and the Secret Service ripped that off me. I had my Democracy Now! ID too. I was clearly a reporter."

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bill hicks

at 08:37 on September 2nd, 2008

She was told not to cross the line. The police have to make a stand when there is anarchy in the streets. They set a line for no one to cross in order to protect those arrested and themselves. In those situations you have to obey the police. The law is in the poice's favor to not allow interference.

Emilio Lizardo

at 09:02 on September 2nd, 2008

It's rather intereesting that, according to Goodman, her floor credentials were removed from her person where they had been prominently displayed in plain view, prior to her being loaded into the paddy wagon ...

They wanted everybody to see this ... who the hell knows why ...

bill hicks

at 09:00 on September 2nd, 2008

Look at the video again. The police were saying anyone who crosses the line will be arrested. Press does not have a legal right to cross every single line otherwise the press would have the right to the Presidents office, the bathroom stall in every gas station..... Freedom of the press has restrictions.

dunkelberg

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 09:15 on September 2nd, 2008

Not a very sociable bunch. You can see her credentials in the video, and they are facing the police officer.

It seems the whole thing could have been handled better.

Emilio Lizardo

at 09:18 on September 2nd, 2008

Thanks for flags and comments, zichi and dunkelberg -

The message has been sent out loud and clear - 'if you think you are coming to St. Paul to make trouble, think again ...

That's my take, anyway ...

Karen Hatter

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 09:22 on September 2nd, 2008

Very disturbing when considered in conjunction with Jordan's story re: police raids on suspected protesters in Minneapolis.

Emilio Lizardo

at 09:45 on September 2nd, 2008

Thanks for the flag and the link, Karen.

bill hicks

at 10:49 on September 2nd, 2008

For those who want to complain please go to www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/mayor

and email the Democratic Mayor.

"Gov. Dean and I both demonstrated that you can lead a government with progressive values and strong management." the Mayor said.

I think maybe he thinks progressive is a Nazi state.

bill hicks

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 10:50 on September 2nd, 2008

Emilio Lizardo, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Emilio Lizardo

at 12:25 on September 2nd, 2008

Thanks for the flag and the comments, Bill ...

I'm thinking Minnesota may want to change the name of one of their cities from St. Paul to St. Petersburg ...

bill hicks

at 11:14 on September 2nd, 2008

Now that it is exposed that the mayor is a democrat, will the comments stop?

hotelcal

at 11:17 on September 2nd, 2008

They need a compassionate republican mayor. Denver's mayor did the same thing to the network reporter. He is a democrat too. Maybe the democratic image of being for the people is a lie.

Emilio Lizardo

at 13:13 on September 2nd, 2008

They all need more Soma ...

hotelcal

at 11:55 on September 2nd, 2008

Chris Coleman is a democrat too.

mr204

at 11:58 on September 2nd, 2008

"They seriously manhandled me and handcuffed my hands behind my back. The top ID [at the convention] is to get on the floor and the Secret Service ripped that off me. I had my Democracy Now! ID too. I was clearly a reporter."

Well you look fine now Amy. Now get back to work!