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Amy Goodman Arrested at RNC in Minneapolis

Amy Goodman of Democracy Now was arrested in Minneapolis today. According to the description of the video, she and two others are charged with conspiracy to riot. According to Coldsnaplegal, she was pepper-sprayed while handcuffed.

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    kinda disgusted by this (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by Lil on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 07:31:02 PM EST
    the arrest,not Amy Goodman.

    I am totally disgusted--what has happened to law (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:39:01 PM EST
    enforcement in this nation?

    Intimidation and trying to shut people up.

    Parent

    How sad (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Lou Grinzo on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 07:31:50 PM EST
    Excuse me--I have to start Googling for real estate agents in the Toronto area.  It's clearly time for my wife and me to drive the 5 miles to Lake Ontario, jump in, and start swimming.


    Of all people!! I love Amy Goodman and (5.00 / 3) (#3)
    by PssttCmere08 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 07:38:26 PM EST
    with all she does, I find it hard to believe she has time to conspire to riot!  Poor thing...

    WTF? (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by lilburro on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 07:45:24 PM EST
    This is completely outrageous.  What can we do?

    Protest? (none / 0) (#6)
    by JavaCityPal on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 07:56:52 PM EST
    Make sure you vote D on your district's representative ticket, and senator (if one of yours is on the ballot this time).

    We need a better, stronger House and Senate.

    Is all this part of the Patriot Act?

    Parent

    If you (5.00 / 4) (#13)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:18:32 PM EST
    have a good candidate to vote for. You have to remember how ineffective some of these with a D beside their name have been.

    Parent
    Like the D's who voted for the egregious FISA bill (5.00 / 4) (#21)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:39:38 PM EST
    No thank you.

    Parent
    FISA, the Patriot Act and the war in Iraq (none / 0) (#78)
    by MyLeftMind on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 12:00:38 AM EST
    are perfect examples of where the people must lead and the leaders will follow.  We cannot expect our leaders to take stands against the war or legislation like FISA and the Patriot Act when to do so would destroy their careers.  Then what good are they?

    Think about what would have happened if Hillary had come out early and strong against the war.  If she had voted no on the Patriot Act, no on the cop-out bill that let Bush go to war, and no to bills funding the war the past six years.  I'd have thought she was great for taking a stand, but most of the electorate would be furious with her or blaming her position on her gender or something.

    The real problem is that even though there are more people who think like we do than there are conservative Republicans, they outvote us and outmaneuver us.  It's our own fault when only 20-25% of us manage to bother to vote.

    Maybe we've learned our lesson now.  FISA, the war, our new police state, all of these are going to take an enormous effort to undo and set right.  But don't expect our elected Dems to just fix things.  It's our turn to do the hard work.  Because when it's all said and done, they can't take care of these problems without us leading the way.


    Parent

    No DEem who voted against PATRIOT lost (none / 0) (#82)
    by Ben Masel on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 12:23:26 AM EST
    a general election. The only nays to to lose were McKinney (in a Primary) and Republican Jim Leach.

    Parent
    The Patriot Act passed. (none / 0) (#86)
    by MyLeftMind on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 01:05:31 AM EST
    If it hadn't passed, and if many Dems had voted against it, our party would be the wimps who kneecapped the war on terror, not the good guys who stood up for true American values.  It would have been used against us, the Dem party, as well as against specific politicians.  Same with FISA.  They had to take it off the table or we would be dead in the water this fall. Worse, the multi-billionaires who lead the Dubya around by the nose would have incentive to set off a dirty bomb in our country just to instill more fear, blame the Dem party, and win the election.  

    Look at Kucinich and what he's facing now for all his rabble rousing.  Really, on these big issues, I think we the people need to take responsibility for our lack of political involvement.  Heck, most Dems don't even vote!  I'm saying we all should be doing much more than just voting.  How often have you heard liberals say they believe in equality for gay citizenss?  Yet the Repubs get to take control of our country by using it as a wedge issue because liberals won't stand up and demand equal rights now, or ten years ago.  This is our country.  It's time we set the agenda, manage our government and create an environment where we can thrive.


    Parent

    The contrasts between (none / 0) (#12)
    by lilburro on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:17:50 PM EST
    the police at the RNC convention and the police at the DNC convention are staggering.  Why?

    Parent
    Because (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:18:59 PM EST
    we had cages?

    Parent
    Did you miss the code pink (5.00 / 2) (#17)
    by nycstray on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:34:53 PM EST
    arrest video and the abc news guy video?

    I will say though, they are showing footage of windows being broken and bottles being thrown at conventioners. That does not help the peaceful protesters. Not excusing the cops at all, but it does tend to lower the bar and put others in danger.

    Parent

    ONE window. Not plural. (5.00 / 1) (#83)
    by Ben Masel on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 12:24:59 AM EST
    ONE bottle.

    Parent
    Vote for a D.... (none / 0) (#104)
    by kdog on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 07:55:29 AM EST
    are you joking?  Did you miss the free speech cage in Denver?  The same strong arm gestapo tactics?  All the D's who voted for the Patriot Act?

    I really don't know what we can do to reverse the totalitarian trend sweeping this nation, but voting D ain't gonna cut it...I think they crave the power to crush dissent just as much as R's.

    We need to vote for Liberty Loving independents, greens, and libertarians...scare the jackboots off the D's and R's.

    Parent

    HFS (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by Faust on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 07:50:16 PM EST
    I listen to Goodman every week. I am....preturbed.

    Conspiracy to riot? (5.00 / 3) (#7)
    by dianem on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:03:33 PM EST
    Are they serious, or is this just a made up charge to keep potential protester's in jail until the convention ends? It certainly sounds suspicious - wouldn't planning any protest that had the potential to turn violent fit into this? Goodman does not strike me as a passive women, but she certainly isn't a person who would encourage rioting, which would undermine her statements and risk lives.

    That's (5.00 / 3) (#11)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:17:30 PM EST
    what I wonder. Are they claiming to be able to read her mind? What evidence to they have that she was going to incite a riot?

    I guess it doesn't matter. You can criticize the gov. now since they can listen to all of your phone calls and call it a conspiracy.

    Now, I'm mad about FISA all over again.

    Parent

    Prosecution of thought crimes is the new big thing (5.00 / 3) (#22)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:40:32 PM EST
    in US law enforcement.

    Parent
    Isn't conspiracy a very broad term and one (4.20 / 5) (#9)
    by hairspray on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:05:38 PM EST
    difficult to prove?  Sounds like harassment to me.

    Parent
    Action (5.00 / 4) (#10)
    by MaryGM on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:06:12 PM EST
    Alternet put up contact info for the mayor's office and the jail where they're being held.  They're requesting that anyone who objects to this to call immediately.

    http://www.alternet.org/rights/97194/amy_goodman_and_two_democracy_now!_producers_unlawfully_arreste d_at_rnc/

    Amy is so calm and rational (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by MKS on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:34:05 PM EST
    in her approach.  I have never heard any over-the-top polemic ascribed to her.

    To arrest her is very troubling....

    I don't know much about this but... (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by Tim V on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:56:48 PM EST
    I didn't see any police brutality in the video. My guess is that she wanted to get arrested, to make a point. Maybe the charge was weak. Maybe she was being peaceful, I don't know. I don't see this as an issue in any case. Sorry.

    Glenn G writes about situation and Amy's arrest-- (5.00 / 3) (#34)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 09:11:29 PM EST
    Update says she's released, reportedly.

    I just attended a Press Conference with St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Police Chief John M. Harrington and -- after they boasted of how "restrained" their police actions were -- asked about the journalists and lawyers who had been detained and/or arrested both today and over the weekend. They said they wouldn't give any information about journalists who had been arrested today, though they said they believed that "one journalist" had been, and that she "was seemingly a participant in the riots, not simply a non-participant." I'll have video of the Press Conference posted shortly.

    Chris Coleman is DFL, Democrat-Farmers-Labor Party, Minnesotan for Democrat.

    ...there is no word on the two Democracy Now producers who were also arrested -- Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar (the former of whom typically books my appearances on that show and the latter of whom had a nose bloodied while being arrested).

    Glenn says the message is that you may report, within parameters. And you may not investigate the government powers. That you may dissent, within parameters and with little or not action. To be safe, you must stay away from any protest actions, no matter how non-violent; otherwise, as in NYC, you are liable to being rounded up and detained. Even prosecuted, if there's no video to protect you.

    Yeah right!!!! (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by D Jessup on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 09:29:57 PM EST
    Let's give the police the benefit of the doubt until we know more.
     

    We not only almost always give them the benefit of the doubt, we hardly ever convict them when they are in the wrong.

    Are you a cop, by any chance? (none / 0) (#42)
    by Lil on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 09:41:36 PM EST
    Are you saying that riot police (none / 0) (#44)
    by D Jessup on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 09:56:45 PM EST
    only arrest people for a good resason.  I've been to protest in both the USA and in Europe.  Our storm troopers seem to look for a reason to incite violence.  Seems to me that they have a "shoot first" make up excuses afterwards mentality, because they know that they can get away with it.

    Parent
    I said that they have (5.00 / 2) (#61)
    by D Jessup on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:09:17 PM EST
    a "shoot first" make up excuses afterwards mentality, did not say they shot anyone.  Quit making things up.

    Parent
    it takes getting shot at (none / 0) (#113)
    by bigbay on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 12:36:59 PM EST
    for you to be upset ?

    Parent
    Support your local gestapo... (5.00 / 2) (#47)
    by mrmobi on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:23:17 PM EST
    I support the police on this one.

    Amy Goodman was trying to find out why two of her reporters had been arrested. They had absolutely nothing to do with any kind of battery perpetrated against convention-goers, and were simply trying to record on video the events that were taking place. She didn't back up because she had just witnessed an unlawful arrest and was questioning the actions of the police. For her trouble, she was arrested and pepper-sprayed. The MSM is completely ignoring these actions. Delightful. Keep in mind, that of the 8 or 9 raids that have taken place in the last couple of days, only one resulted in arrests based on evidence. All the other arrests happened because the people being questioned insisted on seeing warrants, etc.

    But that's ok, right? Because if you aren't doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about. "Conspiracy to riot," huh? Sounds like Cheney himself might have come up with that little gem.

    Anyone care to bet that the media never covers this?

    Not fair to the Gestapo (none / 0) (#51)
    by bayville on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:27:06 PM EST
    According to a third Dem Now producer, who was not (5.00 / 3) (#55)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:36:29 PM EST
    arrested, Amy Goodman was arrested when she attempted to speak to police who arrested two of Dem Now's producers (for videotaping? I don't know yet.) and explain to them that they were journalists. Now, if that is inciting to riot, like, wow.

    If it was anything like the NYC Repub Convention scene, the police would arrest anyone in the area, putting those pliable plastic fences around a group and just close the net, then take everyone to a holding are on one of the wharves on the Hudson (iirc). Miserable conditions. People walking leaving the NYC library, just walking down the steps to the sidewalk. Minors, with no notice to parents. Sick people without their medications. Way cool.

    NYC is now paying out millions for false arrests. Mostly bcz of the videotaping that was done by one of the groups subject to a police raid in the Twin Cities.  The lesson they appear to be taking from NYC is to intimidate and arrest the watchers, those with video cameras.

    Don't they realize that lots of people have cell phones with video capability? You can detain the pros/experienced ones, but there are still citizens out there who can capture video of malfeasance.

    Why the deafening silence (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by Edger on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:07:35 PM EST
    from Obama about heavy handed police repression of RNC protesters?

    FISA? (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:10:22 PM EST
    Or maybe (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by Edger on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 03:00:04 AM EST
    he's just not opposed to it.

    Parent
    Good point. (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by Edger on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 02:57:04 AM EST
    They haven't starting shooting. yet.

    Parent
    Why the deafening silence here (5.00 / 1) (#95)
    by Edger on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 03:09:10 AM EST
    about the deafening silence from Obama?

    Parent
    People here also trained to be compliant--there (5.00 / 1) (#111)
    by jawbone on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 10:24:39 AM EST
    are parameters beyond which lie consequences.

    Also, as Greenwald pointed out, people are becoming accustomed to assuming that protesters ipso facto deserve whatever the government via its controls and use of force metes out to them.

    May be a reason there were fewer protesters than would be expected for an extremely unpopular war. Youths especially, but others as well, show up for stadium-type shows or political rallies--not to protest. Think of all the parameters just to get into a political rally nowadays. Leave your bottled water (could be thrown), leave your umbrella (could be a weapon, leave your backpack (could hold a bomb or chemicals) leave your protest sign (weapon and aggro to the candidate), leave your opposition t-shirt, leave your speech, leave your First Amendment rights.  

    Hey, just borg it.

    Parent

    There is a huge gulf between (none / 0) (#112)
    by Edger on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 11:29:03 AM EST
    slamming a candidate and questioning him.

    Parent
    Firedoglake.com seems to be covering the protests (5.00 / 4) (#62)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:10:00 PM EST
    and police actions pretty closely.

    They are reporting that police used tear gas on groups where there were families and children (leaving a SEIEU Labor Day concert). Some video group got caught up in an arrest sweep, but was allowed to leave when journalists with credentials were told they could go. A medic was not allowed to leave and was shown prone on the ground with police cuffing him. Link for video at Firedog link. Kind of boring, but reporter did state it's very uncomfortable sitting for long period with hands above head.

    I've been struck by the attitude that the people arrested were somehow asking for it or deserved it. Glenn Greenwald points out that that is one of the objectives of this kind of police action: People must learn compliance. Immediate and unquestioning obediance to the orders of authorities. Whether right or wrong, legal or not legal. The compliant citizen is a controllable citizen.

    He says the founding fathers knew one of the most important means of keeping a democracy was to have the right to speak, to protest, to assemble freely. Now, the government is working to make assembly possible only in "cages" or remote locations. Any assembly outside the government's permitted parameters is subject to arrest. What people take from this is 1) those protesters must be kinda crazy to risk ticking off those guys with tasers and guns and chemical weapons and 2) it's safer to just stay home, keep your head down and not get noticed. Do Not Make Waves.

    Learned compliance and obedience. Check out Greenwald's many great posts--he's a fierce protector fo civil liberties and the Constitution.

    Glenn Greenwald (5.00 / 2) (#73)
    by surrealone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:34:30 PM EST
    Glenn did a good job at DNC last week, covering the Vets marching to Pepsi-Center.


    Parent
    Agree with you 200% (5.00 / 2) (#74)
    by reslez on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:40:34 PM EST
    A family member was there with her three-year-old daughter today. They just wanted to see the convention excitement, not even there to protest. They got caught up in a group and were unable to leave because of the teargas.

    Parent
    it's taught in the schools (none / 0) (#117)
    by bigbay on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 12:42:31 PM EST
    this happens at an early age, especially to kids with less money. They are supposed to become better test takers. Upper income kids can take electives and explore the arts and be creative. I see this everyday. Classrooms where kids talk are deemed unruly and out of control, and the teachers are reprimanded.

    Parent
    NYT reports Donna Brazile also got pepper-sprayed (5.00 / 2) (#69)
    by akaEloise on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:28:08 PM EST
    link Not on purpose, she was a passerby.
    I'm afraid I said something rather unkind when I read that.

    "Holocaust denier?" (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by mrmobi on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 12:05:30 AM EST
    Are you high?

    If it is "hard left" to believe in freedom of speech and assembly, guilty as charged.

    If it is "hard left" to believe that reporters (with credentials and videocameras) should be allowed to do their job, guilty as charged.

    I have no argument with police stopping anarchists from committing violence or damaging property, but this is about a police force (led, in many of these raids, by the FBI) which is painting all protest groups as "anarchists." This is simply untrue.

    Apparently, some in our new America think it is acceptable behavior to round up people and hold them incognito without cause, or just go on fishing expeditions, and, when no evidence is found, confiscate the laptops and cell phones of ordinary citizens who have committed no crime, again, without cause.

    I have the greatest respect for the police and the difficult job they do. I've personally benefited from outstanding police work in my life.

    But we live in a country where the mayor of a small town can have his door broken down and his family terrorized and his dogs killed in front of him, all in the name of the war on drugs. Something is seriously out of kilter here, and calling someone concerned about obvious police repression of legitimate dissent a "holocaust denier" is idiocy.

    Hope those "Cops" come visit you (none / 0) (#99)
    by bayville on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 07:36:26 AM EST
    Sounds like you need a wake-up call there. Mr. Police Deserve Are Respect is out the window. These cops need a good ass whoopin'. Period.

    No respect or love for those talentless thugs.

    Parent

    you sound like (none / 0) (#115)
    by bigbay on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 12:38:29 PM EST
    a middle school teacher trying to control a class

    Parent
    order ? (none / 0) (#114)
    by bigbay on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 12:38:00 PM EST
    Again the far left has come out to play. (1.00 / 2) (#70)
    by WillBFair on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:30:36 PM EST
    The wto fun here in seattle seems like only yesterday. They're too lazy to actually work at anything constructive. But they enjoy a summetime march, and yelling at everyone else about how to behave.
    Too bad about Ms. Goodman. But she's a celeb and I imagine she'll be ok. I know it's her job, but I'd expect this to happen anywhere within 10 miles of those loons. They get their kicks from snarling at the cops, who are also not the most tranquil bunch.

    I'm not sure they enjoy a summertime march. (none / 0) (#77)
    by EL seattle on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:52:26 PM EST
    So much as they enjoy crashing somebody else's summertime march.  They get have their smashy-smashy anarchy fun, and the media tends to blame the parade organizers instead of the rogue elements.

    At least that's the way I remember it....

    Parent

    Amy Goodman (1.00 / 2) (#106)
    by Potfry on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 08:10:45 AM EST
    I sometimes dream about pepper spraying Amy Goodman.

    Sick...or snark? Commenter states; you decide. (none / 0) (#109)
    by jawbone on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 10:07:24 AM EST
    Was this in Minneapolis or St Paul (none / 0) (#8)
    by inclusiveheart on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:04:06 PM EST
    because they are different cities?

    I'm sorry (none / 0) (#15)
    by JAB on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:25:52 PM EST
    I've never heard of this person. Is she someone big in the blogging world?

    She is the host of Democracy Now, one of the best (5.00 / 2) (#18)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:36:40 PM EST
    news programs available in this country. Available on Pacifica and some public radio stations, plus I believe televised on cable.

    She provided some of the most accurate reports on the runup to the Iraq Invasion.

    Parent

    And they provide transcripts very quickly! (5.00 / 2) (#24)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:42:14 PM EST
    A great news source--Dem Now covers things which are seldom or never covered by the MCM.

    Parent
    Forgot link--here it is. (5.00 / 3) (#27)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:43:48 PM EST
    For Real? (none / 0) (#19)
    by surrealone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:38:15 PM EST
    Are you serious, or that was a snark? DN (democracynow.org), one of the true democratic news source.


    Parent
    Nope (none / 0) (#26)
    by JAB on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:43:33 PM EST
    for real - never heard of her

    Parent
    Neither had Jim Lehrer, which may explain why his (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:46:59 PM EST
    coverage of the runup to the Iraq Invasion on PBS's Newshour was so one-sided and, well, inacccurate, alas. He was very accurate with BushCo's side of things, just missed all sorts of information that didn't support BushCo and the NeoCons.

    Parent
    Bingo! (5.00 / 1) (#96)
    by bridget on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 04:10:54 AM EST
    Amy is absolutely the best!

    Where else would you hear interviews with Noam Chomsky, Robert Fisk, Tariq Ali and so many more .... you know all the most famous journalists and celebrated thinkers in the whole world MSM USA ignores for decades now.

    Nobody is more admired in the rest of the world than Noam Chomsky. When I still read dkos I didn't see his name  mentioned NOT a single time. That was over a period of ca. two years. Telling.

    Mainstream media won't allow any of them on the air and that includes Noam Chomsky.

    Thanks goodness for Amy.

    Absolutely amazed people here have never heard of Amy. Stunned actually.

    Parent

    Neither did I (none / 0) (#29)
    by befuddledvoter on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:53:53 PM EST
    N/T

    Parent
    I've never heard of her either (none / 0) (#43)
    by Grace on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 09:44:11 PM EST
    or of Democracy Now.  

    I'm not a political junkie so I don't follow politics all the time.  

    Parent

    She's a very good reporter (none / 0) (#87)
    by splashy on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 01:22:08 AM EST
    That is not on the payroll of the big corporations, so they really don't like her. She reports on politics, yes, but she reports on so much more than that too.

    They obviously don't want here reporting, because she is beholden to no one but her viewers.

    If you want more truth, Amy Goodman and Democracy Now! is where you go to look for it. You can find her show on FSTV, LinkTV, some PBS stations, and online at democracynow.org.

    Parent

    Amy Goodman on Charie Rose, March 2003-- (none / 0) (#108)
    by jawbone on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 09:59:00 AM EST
    Here's video of it.  (I was afraid he might not have archived it--give him credit for not deep sixing it.)

    Charlie Rose said he would have Amy back again--did not happen, will not happen. She speaks truth to power, and the spokespeople of the powerful do not want to hear it and do not want to be held responsible for allowing it to be broadcast. Watch as Charlie keeps interrupting her and then going into an incredible defensive crouch. It was riveting.

    Parent

    he knows what side (none / 0) (#118)
    by bigbay on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 12:44:44 PM EST
    his bread is buttered on. Charlie's no fool.

    Parent
    Hmm (none / 0) (#23)
    by jarober on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:40:55 PM EST
    Was this before, during, or after protesters threw Clorox at the Ct delegation?  

    Please expand on your comment--any links? (none / 0) (#25)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:43:01 PM EST
    Or did you see it on TV? Thnx!

    Parent
    Was she part of that particular (none / 0) (#32)
    by JavaCityPal on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 09:02:11 PM EST
    group of protesters? It seems really out of character.


    Parent
    Just curious (none / 0) (#31)
    by Lil on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 08:57:54 PM EST
    Did crap like this happen at the DNC. Pepper spray, riot police, trumped up charges, etc

    C'mon now (none / 0) (#33)
    by NYShooter on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 09:10:12 PM EST
    I'm not defending this action, I just don't have any facts yet.....and nether do you.

    And, you have to admit, the crowd at the Dem. convention site was a lot less threatening and angry than at the Repub. site.

    Let's give the police the benefit of the doubt until we know more. I'm sure they've been welll briefed and warned as to the ramifications of acting brutally.  

    Parent

    Having been on the receivng end of government (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 09:22:57 PM EST
    ordered police malfeasance in NYC during the February '03 antiwar rally, I can assure you someone can be doing nothing other than walking peacefully and be harrassed, detained, pressed into an increasingly smaller space as part of the intimidation, causing children being pressed and even their mothers to cry.  Misuse of horses, misuse of authority, etc. I don't know the legal terms but I do know the effect. And the unconstitutionality of it.

    Well, actually, they never let most of us ever get to the rally or near the rally. They just directed anyone who asked how to get to the rally into ever increasingly blocked off areas. Once they had people on Third Avenue, they began corralling us by block, then quarters of the block, then shoved everyone against barriers until we literally couldn't move, then pressed people even more compactly together.  It was an intimidation, control tactic--but WHY? Bloomberg said the police had acted just wonderfully....

    Not what I expect from my law enforcement authorities or city officials.

     

    Parent

    Isn't that how the do NYE and the 4th also? (none / 0) (#37)
    by nycstray on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 09:32:27 PM EST
    When I went to the Macy's firworks on the 4th, we (none / 0) (#48)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:23:38 PM EST
    were free to move around, leave the area, try to work our way back, go to another location to try for a better view.

    If people are treated that way as SOP, oh, my, I would think there would some kind of outcry!

    Never did NYr's Eve. Don't like confinement!

    Parent

    They may have lightened up the 4th (none / 0) (#66)
    by nycstray on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:17:28 PM EST
    but I thought after 9/11 they did the barricade thing for safety and crowd control.

    I could see TS from where I worked in the Bertlesman (sp?!) building. They would set up "corrals" for events after 9/11 so they could control flow and security. And only certain streets were open to the public. You had to have work ID to get on others like the one I was on. Getting to alternative subways to get out of there before the crowds got too big and the event started was festive, not! One time I couldn't see the subway I was looking for through all the cops/horses/equipment. Not sure if they've lightened up over the years. It takes a lot to get me in that area when nothing is going on much less something, lol!~

    Parent

    I haven't been since 9/11, so may have changed. (none / 0) (#68)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:24:59 PM EST
    Probably the reason I don't go now....

    Parent
    did you answer my question (none / 0) (#38)
    by Lil on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 09:33:44 PM EST
    it was a serious question. I feel lectured and still don't have the answer to my question. If you don't know, that's ok.

    Parent
    DNC: Pepper Spray, rubber bullets (none / 0) (#84)
    by Ben Masel on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 12:29:38 AM EST
    Monday night in front of the Webb Building.

    Parent
    Haven't we learned anything? (none / 0) (#45)
    by NYShooter on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:09:46 PM EST
    I'm no stranger to police batons, so I don't need any lectures from anyone. I also have policemen in my immediate family. Yes, there are rotten apples (maybe even a lot) but unless you've been charged with confronting a large, unfriendly crowd, and all the possible things that could happen, and all the restraints imposed upon you, and still be held responsible if one or more of those "protesters" decides to get violent in order to make a statement, please don't be so quick to judge.

    Listen closely.....if any police personnel are found to have violated the law, or used excessive force, or found guilty of any other unnacceptable behavior, they should be prosecueted to the full extent of the law.

    Just be thankful you don't have their responsibility.

    Small angry crowd. (none / 0) (#85)
    by Ben Masel on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 12:39:45 AM EST
    70 "kids in black," 600 Cops and National Guard. I was present, behind the Guard, and luckily upwind. Didn't see whatever provocation may have occured, I arrived behind the waves of police re-inforcements.

    I paraded behind them, solo, with my "This is a test of the Emergency Free Speech System" sign.

    I was unmolested flying signs right downtown through the day. Seems the Police have been programmed to react to groups, not individuals. Or is it an age thing?

    Parent

    Screw the Cops (none / 0) (#46)
    by bayville on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:18:49 PM EST
    A large portion of these cops are drunks, wife beaters, drug abusers, compulsive gamblers and just plains scumbags.
    And when they're out of uniform, away from their "buds" - most of them are dumber than dirt and wimps.

    Hope Minnie/St. Paul has to pay those arrested millions of $$$ for these fascist acts.


    Most of them suck (none / 0) (#101)
    by bayville on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 07:41:26 AM EST
    Go back to the suburbs you whitebred, scumbag. Get a clue or STF up.

    Hope these Gestapo scumbags come a knockin' to your house when the wife and kids are home.

    No, most cops are vermin. Evidence Minneapolis & Denver.


    Parent

    Why was the person with the video camera (none / 0) (#53)
    by JSN on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:29:34 PM EST
    allowed to cross the police line? When was pepper spray
    used on Goodman? She was not pepper spayed during arrest or before entering the police van and It is not very likely they would use pepper spray inside the van.

    Telephoto lens? (none / 0) (#71)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:33:21 PM EST
    It's been a violent first day (none / 0) (#56)
    by Bulging Bracket on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:39:36 PM EST
    AP report on the violence.

    There are some fairly bad images of protesters attacking police. You won't like the site, but the photos look legit and the AP feeds only have boring photos from inside or else arrest photos.

    Some anarchists also attempted to murder delegates by tossing cement and sandbags off of overpasses.

    I'm sure that after all of that the police are nervous and under substantial pressure to arrest EVERYONE that may be a threat. Amy and her producers just picked a bad day to get the inside perspective of a protest. Thankfully she wasn't put in a chokehold like the ABC reporter in Denver.

    Not surprised (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by blogtopus on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 12:15:36 AM EST
    Take a look at a few things:

    1. How many people have been pushed into a corner by the GOP in the past 4 years? Katrina, Health Care, Iraq Vets, you name it.

    2. Look at how Obama's campaign has attracted the youth of the nation... and often the immature as well. Not a slug against all Obama supporters, just the fact that his 'creative class' demographic has lots of room for childish reactionaries / WTO Seattle types.

    3. The 'Pre-emptive' arrests became the word around town, and p*ssed off a LOT of people.

    Not excuses, put possible explanations.

    Oh, yeah, and 4: Some of these people might be GOP plants like the 'voter rioters' in 2000. [/tinfoil]

    Parent

    I'm inclined to believe #4 is likely (none / 0) (#88)
    by splashy on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 01:34:42 AM EST
    Because it gives them an excuse to arrest everyone that is dissenting. That is the MO of the authoritarians, who are well represented in the Repub group.

    The goal in Denver was not to arrest anyone that was dissenting, so it was relatively peaceful, as real protests are. When you see violence, it is usually because of provocateurs. Even the anarchists are not usually violent, unless there are those that infiltrate them to incite toward violence.

    That's how it was back in the 60's and 70's, why would it be any different now?

    Parent

    And in Denver they were so well behaved. (none / 0) (#57)
    by EL seattle on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:50:42 PM EST
    How come they're acting like it's the Seattle WTO festival in Minneapolis?

    I guess there are a few reasons.

    Parent

    If some of the comments here (none / 0) (#58)
    by NYShooter on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 10:53:46 PM EST
    are any indication of the mindset of the protesters, its not hard to understand why the police were extra nervous. It seems increased reports of violence and damage were streaming in, and arrests escalating. A band of several hundred more vocal protesters broke off, apparently to confuse and outflank the police, which further raised the temperature at the scene.
    From the tape, it seems Amy was told she had to use the sidewalk, but when she persisted in going across the promenade (or whatever) the cop asked her again to go to the sidewalk. She may, or should have, known today wasn't a day to test the police resolve.

    Again, if the cops violated any rules or laws...well, that's what the courts are for.I
     

    refusing to walk where the police tell you to (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by txpublicdefender on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:14:53 PM EST
    Refusing to walk where the police tell you to does not amount to "conspiracy to riot."  At worst, it is disorderly conduct or trespassing.  Conspiracy to riot is a ridiculous, trumped-up charge, and I have no doubt that the various municipalities involved here will end up paying out in lawsuits just like NYC is now.  

    Parent
    When I was arrested during a teachers' strike in (none / 0) (#67)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:23:00 PM EST
    Milwaukee, it was for asking to talk to a sergeant about an apparently arbitrary order. Charges dropped, of course, but they did get me for those unpaid parking tickets.... I apparently ticked off some officer--I was thoroughly polite, but stated I had rights and wished to understand what was going on. Ooops. Got kind of picked up by my elbows (I weighed less then) and could barely touch the ground with my tippy-toes as they marched me off.

    I did pause at the door of the paddy wagon to blow a kiss to the remaining picketing teachers.

    Which was caught on tape by local TV--and, amazingly, caught by my little nephew and my mother! During a noon news broadcast. Phone was ringing as I got back to my apartment.

    Parent

    The law always backs to the pigs! (none / 0) (#102)
    by bayville on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 07:45:36 AM EST
    Cops never serve time or are punished.

    If they are "afraid" of peace protesters- who are against War - then they really are COWARDS!!!!

    Take off the riot gear, get rid of the boots, the masks, the guns, tasers, sticks, tear gas, smoke bombs, bullet proof vests and helmets and these Gestapos are nothing but, lowlife scum.

    Ohhh!! they are so afraid of "Peace Protesters". Well, it's time these "Peace Protesters" fought back.

    Parent

    Here's a clue.... (none / 0) (#59)
    by NYShooter on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:06:02 PM EST
    How many were REAL anarchists (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by splashy on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 01:39:59 AM EST
    And how many were paid to cause trouble so the police would have an excuse to jail a bunch of people, and give protesters a bad name?

    This is an old tactic of authoritarians, those that would control dissent. Hire people to go mingle with the protesters, say they are anarchists, and break some windows or throw rocks to get the ball rolling so the "authorities" can say the protesters started it.

    I don't buy it. Sounds fishy to me.

    Parent

    Anarchists have been getting societies in trouble (none / 0) (#65)
    by jawbone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:16:35 PM EST
    for a long, long time.

    Stupid, stupid actions. Attacking Eastern Moderate Repubs from CT? Great.  Sheesh.

    Still doesn't excuse mass arrest sweeps--like a reporter trying to intervene on behalf of her producers is like an anarchist? No. And police should be able to deal with that difference.

    Parent

    What is so hard to understand? (1.00 / 1) (#97)
    by NYShooter on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 06:40:00 AM EST
    The cops were in a heightened state of alertness, and anxiety.There were many acts of violence occurring. Does anyone here understand the vulnerability a cop is subjected to? Rocks, bottles, bullets, and more could find their target in the cops skull at any moment. Or don't bad things happen any more?

    At a time like that, they are afraid for own safety and have to be left alone to do their jobs, observe the area, communicate with other officers, listen to their superiors, etc.

    Did Goodman think they were standing their to be her personal information booth? An experienced person like her should have sized up the situation and understood now wasn't the time to get in their face. There were other, less provocative and less strained ways to get the information she was looking for.

    Maybe next time there's a fire in a high-rise where Amy lives she can hang on the firefighters leg as he's climbing the ladder and demand to know if her aunt Zelda is in the building.

    Parent

    Cops were scared.... (none / 0) (#103)
    by bayville on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 07:49:08 AM EST
    ...of Amy Goodman?

    Damn, they are so tough? Support the police?

    Please, that is so 1980s. Cops deserved to get their faced smashed in. Plain & Simple, it's time the public fought back.

    Cops are the enemy!

    Parent

    I drew no conclusions (none / 0) (#79)
    by NYShooter on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 12:03:06 AM EST
    just wanted to post information from a usually reliable source......as opposed to shooting off my mouth regarding things we simply don't know about yet.

    Parent
    Hey, Mr. Cop (none / 0) (#72)
    by shoephone on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:33:40 PM EST
    Ain't got no birth cerf-i-ticket on me now.
    Why don't you take your dog and pony show over to Red State? You'll be among friends.

    In a weird way, this may be good news (none / 0) (#75)
    by syrupcore on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:48:08 PM EST
    Cause, not she's gonna really let them have it - and hopefully her friends will too. Not that many people listen to DN but a whole lot of journalists respect Amy Goodman.

    oops (none / 0) (#76)
    by syrupcore on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:50:23 PM EST
    cause, "now", not "not".

    Parent
    Anarchist is a euphemism for social misfit (none / 0) (#98)
    by Yankee Independent on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 07:24:16 AM EST
    As usual, the so-called "anarchists" incite others to react by using misguided rhetoric, profanity, public and private property destruction, and violence. The footage shown during every political convention of protestors marching in the streets (and then being scattered by tear gas after throwing rocks and bottles at police) doesn't change from one year to the next. These social misfits don't change their message, (yawn), their approach , or their clothes from one convention to the next. Such reactionaries will never have their agenda taken seriously with such approaches. They should seek out constructional confrontation (i.e. civilized) approaches if they want their message to be heard before it can even be considered seriously by others. As the old Amish saying goes: "What you do speaks so loudly that what you say I cannot hear."

    Forgot that law? (none / 0) (#100)
    by bayville on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 07:39:10 AM EST
    Don't get in the police face? Please. Grow-up there you troll. These cops need to be taught a "lesson".

    Maybe a few of these law & order guys need to be on the receiving end of a taser test.

    Yell and scream where you're supposed to.... (none / 0) (#105)
    by kdog on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 08:00:17 AM EST
    like the free speech cage?  Gimme a break.

    Amy was screaming where she was supposed to...in the face of power.

    Recreate '68 indeed. (none / 0) (#107)
    by EL seattle on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 09:34:55 AM EST
    It looks like it's all about me for a lot of people.

    Update from Dem Now blog-released, but all charged (none / 0) (#110)
    by jawbone on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 10:17:34 AM EST
    All three manhandled--protesting one's innocence is cause for immediate punishment, right? Explaining one's journalistic rights? Cause for immediate punishment and arrest. Exercising First Amendment rights? Priceless, but costly physically, psychologically, and financially (lawyering up and appearing in court, unless charges dropped. But still, costly.)

    I looked for today's program, but couldn't find it. It's usually on the front page, top. Hhhmmmm.  

    Did anyone hear or see Dem Now today?