Amy Goodman and Two Democracy Now! Producers Unlawfully Arrested At the RNC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.democracynow.org
September 1, 2008
Contact:
Denis Moynihan [contact redacted]
Mike Burke [contact redacted]
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 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.
Video of Amy Goodman's Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
##
update
Another press release:
September 1, 2008
Contact:
Mike Burke: [contact redacted]
**UPDATE**
Democracy Now!'s Amy Goodman, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar
Released After Illegal Arrest at RNC
Goodman Charged with Obstruction; Felony Riot Charges Pending Against
Kouddous and Salazar
ST. PAUL--Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman and producers Sharif Abdel
Kouddous and Nicole Salazar have all been released from police custody
in St. Paul following their illegal arrest by Minneapolis Police on
Monday afternoon.
All three were violently manhandled by law enforcement officers. Abdel
Kouddous was slammed against a wall and the ground, leaving his arms
scraped and bloodied. He sustained other injuries to his chest and back.
Salazar's violent arrest by baton-wielding officers, during which she
was slammed to the ground while yelling, "I'm Press! Press!," resulted
in her nose bleeding, as well as causing facial pain. Goodman's arm was
violently yanked by police as she was arrested.
On Tuesday, Democracy Now! will broadcast video of these arrests, as
well as the broader police action. These will also be available on:
www.democracynow.org
Goodman was arrested while questioning police about the unlawful
detention of Kouddous and Salazar who 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 arrested on suspicion of rioting, a felony. While the three
have been released, they all still face charges stemming from their
unlawful arrest. Kouddous and Salazar face pending charges of suspicion
of felony riot, while Goodman has been officially charged with
obstruction of a legal process and interference with a "peace officer."
Democracy Now! forcefully rejects all of these charges as false and an
attempt at intimidation of these journalists. We demand that the charges
be immediately and completely dropped.
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 the Democracy Now! team was arrested,
law enforcement officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion
grenades and excessive force against protesters and journalists. Several
dozen demonstrators were also arrested during this action, including a
photographer for the Associated Press.
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 and the subsequent criminal
charges and threat of charges are a transparent attempt to intimidate
journalists.
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
I just spoke with someone at the Ramsey County Jail ("adult detention center"). I asked about Amy Goodman. The Jail Representative said that, "she was released a while ago."
Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 6:37pm.
The video clearly shows that she was NOT following the instruction of the officers. The video clearly shows the officers acting with restraint, using the necessary force to effect the arrest. The fact that she works for "Democracy Now" does NOT entitle her to refuse the instructions of the police officers on the scene. Great work by those police officers.
Look at the original video. The officers were not in danger. They could have avoided the arrest by showing some restraint and listening to her for probably 30 seconds. She was being respectful. How is what she was doing enough for a prudent officer to restrain her that way?
Apparently terrorists are anyone in media who reports something other than the information shaped by powerful commercial and political interests.
I hope for an authentic, just, democracy with a free press -
I agree, it is important to use words wisely. "Violent" means different things to different people. So, I looked the word up in the dictionary. The officer's actions could be, in my opinion, "violence".
I don't have any idea what was going on behind the camera. But I'm very disappointed in the situation in front of the camera.
I agree with you Kay. And I want to add that to me, violence is, in general, that which causes unnecessary harm to another. Under this definition, taking an animal for its meat - for food - can be considered not to be violence, because the meat might be necessary for life. That's an idealistic definition of course. It's a work in progress. But my definition of violence, generally, is that which does harm. This includes emotional and mental harm, as well as physical.
I think it is hard to argue that handling someone by yanking her around by the arm, is not violence. I mean seriously: Would you do this to your grandmother?
I'm disappointed in your comment here. When there is plant protein available (and it is, in Olympia), killing animals for food is unnecessary. Again, your disconnect with the experience of animals killed for food in the context of promoting peace is baffling to me. That you used this particular example on Olyblog knowing fully that it would alienate me due to my experience of animals as an "us" rather than a "them" creates a wish to distance myself from you and from Olyblog. I'm not sure why you felt it necessary to deny the violence against the most vulnerable among us to make your point.
Most of us get more than enough protein from plant sources from a varied diet. And as I stated above, when plant sources are available...as they certainly are here in Olympia, the killing of animals and taking their flesh for consumption isn't necessary.
If you feel that meat is a necessary component of your diet, I would challenge you, in the name of peace, nonviolence, and sustainability, to at least try to work with a dietician toward the goal of creating a plant-based diet.
Here is a link to the ADA Position Paper on Vegetarian Diets that you might find a helpful guide:
"It is the position of the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases." ADA Position Paper on Veg diets
Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 8:58pm.
The video shows the officer repeatedly telling her to move back. She refused. He tried to guide her back. She refused and resisted his efforts to move her back. She had multiple opportunities to follow the instructions of the police officer. Amy Goodman COULD HAVE avoided the arrest by following the instructions of the police officer. She, by her actions, caused her arrest.
The video clearly shows that she was NOT following the instruction of the officers. The video clearly shows the officers acting with restraint, using the necessary force to effect the arrest. The fact that she works for "Democracy Now" does NOT entitle her to refuse the instructions of the police officers on the scene. Great work by those police officers.
Jeff Brigham
"The best defense against terrorism is a strong offensive against terrorists. That work continues.”
Submitted by DrewHendricks on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 9:13pm.
The officer had already grabbed Amy's arm without listening to her question, or her statement of her purpose (the second video clearly shows a family being allowed to cross the street without being molested, clearly there was some viewpoint discrimination here). The officer then shoved her into the car, and then around the car, as he was pushing her to the sidewalk. As she turned back toward him, he changed his mind (she was asking questions, not submitting verbally) and - never having taken his hand apparently from her, jerked her back into the street to "arrest" her. It was an arrest from the first moment he touched her, she was in his custody and he was moving her clearly against her will before he got her to the car or the sidewalk. There isn't enough of the video present to say whether she was ever actually "given plenty of time to comply." We are not seeing the whole video, just a part of it, and a part of some others.
It is outrageous to ask a coworker/friend to NOT object when her coworkers/friends are being (allegedly) unlawfully/wrongfully arrested. It is further outrageous to arrest a nonthreatening person who is engaged in a lawful and constitutionally protected form of purely (again, lawful) nonviolent protest. She was petitioning for the release of her friends - who were (again allegedly) wrongfully arrested on trumped up charges.
It appears that media people / journalists have been targeted in a sort of dragnet operation that appears to be designed to stifle, or quell, dissent.
When police are acting as agents of an oppressive state, we are required to resist them or we are no better than those who did nothing while Jews and others were being sent to death camps in Nazi Germany.
----
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."
Armed groups of police in the Twin Cities have raided more than half-a-dozen locations since Friday night in a series of “preemptive raids” before the Republican National Convention. The raids and detentions have targeted activists planning to protest the convention, as well as journalists and videographers documenting police actions at protests. [includes rush transcript]
The protests against the Republican convention have barely begun, but the police have already begun their crackdown against anyone perceived to be involved the demonstrations. Police in the Twin Cities worked with federal officials to detain dozens of activists and conduct a series of coordinated raids on a number of locations. Among them was Democracy Now!’s Elizabeth Press, who was detained, along with several others, in a house raid on the video collective I-Witness Video. Press files a report from the streets of the Twin Cities. [includes rush transcript]
Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 9:23pm.
Here is the Olympian’s article on the “peaceful protesters”.
http://www.theolympian.com/election/presidential/story/569024.html
Here are some photos where you can see the work of the “peaceful protesters”. http://www.theolympian.com/election/presidential/v-standalone/story/569024.html
Jeff Brigham
"The best defense against terrorism is a strong offensive against terrorists. That work continues.”
implies a scale or context. And in the world of Olyblog, Jeff's views are different than most. But as we all know from what happened at the port and the reaction in the Olympian, Jeff is far from alone in his views making the moniker of "Extremist" invalid.
I thought name calling was a no-no.
...who held a sign saying "God Bless Israeli Bulldozers."
If that's not extreme, I don't know what is. Being critical of the PMR tactics doesn't place him in the mainstream. I've been very critical of their approach, and said so on many occasions.
Submitted by Arts From The Heart on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 7:37am.
A TROUBLE MAKER.
Now Bert, you seem like an intelligent enough person, but your choice for a news story 'Violently Arrested', only weakens the common liberal.
Submitted by Arts From The Heart on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 8:51am.
I don't think the liberals really benifit with this kind of jounalism, if that is what his purpose is. Something untrue that is intentionally represented as true by the narrator to me is bad press.
As for myself I am non-partisan but leaning more and more conservitive after spending 6 weeks on olyblog.
You're kind of vague on exactly what you take issue with. You've been presented with lots of data, sources, and arguments, but you never seem to want to actually talk about the issues. So: let's hear what you think. The floor is open.
OlyBlog is devoted to citizen journalism, including hyperlocal news and discussion specifically about Olympia, Washington. If you care about this community and are tired of corporate media, then this is the place for you.
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I'm a fan of Amy Goodman and
Submitted by Mary Baker Eddy on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 5:15pm.But "violently"? Twisting an arm during an arrest is not violence. Hyperbole makes us look wild-eyed. Hyperbole lessens our credibility.
definition of violence
Submitted by Bert on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 5:20pm.More Video from Ari Berman
Submitted by Bert on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 5:28pm.More Video
Submitted by Bert on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 5:29pm. »Amy Goodman has been "released"
Submitted by Bert on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 6:10pm.Great work by those police officers!
Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 6:37pm.The video clearly shows that she was NOT following the instruction of the officers. The video clearly shows the officers acting with restraint, using the necessary force to effect the arrest. The fact that she works for "Democracy Now" does NOT entitle her to refuse the instructions of the police officers on the scene. Great work by those police officers.
Here is another source of info on some of the "protesters" in St. Paul:
Jeff Brigham
"The best defense against terrorism is a strong offensive against terrorists. That work continues.”
President George W. Bush
Joining the conversation about the arrest of Goodman
Submitted by Bert on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 6:40pm.By the way, could you please tell me exactly who are the terrorists and what it is exactly that they want?
bert
Look at the original video.
Submitted by Kay on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 8:44pm.Terrorism and Violence
Submitted by Bert on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 8:57pm.I think it is hard to argue that handling someone by yanking her around by the arm, is not violence. I mean seriously: Would you do this to your grandmother?
I'm disappointed in your
Submitted by Chia on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 3:31am.I'm disappointed in your comment here. When there is plant protein available (and it is, in Olympia), killing animals for food is unnecessary. Again, your disconnect with the experience of animals killed for food in the context of promoting peace is baffling to me. That you used this particular example on Olyblog knowing fully that it would alienate me due to my experience of animals as an "us" rather than a "them" creates a wish to distance myself from you and from Olyblog. I'm not sure why you felt it necessary to deny the violence against the most vulnerable among us to make your point.
Don't eat meat, ride a bike...that's how you can brake global warming, the head of the United Nation's Nobel Prize-winning scientific panel on climate change said...
meat unnecessary?
Submitted by Bert on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 6:54am.meat unnecessary.
Submitted by Chia on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 7:21am.Most of us get more than enough protein from plant sources from a varied diet. And as I stated above, when plant sources are available...as they certainly are here in Olympia, the killing of animals and taking their flesh for consumption isn't necessary.
If you feel that meat is a necessary component of your diet, I would challenge you, in the name of peace, nonviolence, and sustainability, to at least try to work with a dietician toward the goal of creating a plant-based diet.
Here is a link to the ADA Position Paper on Vegetarian Diets that you might find a helpful guide:Don't eat meat, ride a bike...that's how you can brake global warming, the head of the United Nation's Nobel Prize-winning scientific panel on climate change said...
I hear you.
Submitted by Bert on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 3:52pm.I think you have a good point, Chia
Submitted by The Original Yoda on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 11:08am.Kay, Look at the Video!
Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 8:58pm.The video shows the officer repeatedly telling her to move back. She refused. He tried to guide her back. She refused and resisted his efforts to move her back. She had multiple opportunities to follow the instructions of the police officer. Amy Goodman COULD HAVE avoided the arrest by following the instructions of the police officer. She, by her actions, caused her arrest.
The video clearly shows that she was NOT following the instruction of the officers. The video clearly shows the officers acting with restraint, using the necessary force to effect the arrest. The fact that she works for "Democracy Now" does NOT entitle her to refuse the instructions of the police officers on the scene. Great work by those police officers.
Jeff Brigham
"The best defense against terrorism is a strong offensive against terrorists. That work continues.”
President George W. Bush
FOX News Reporter Arrested
Submitted by Bert on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 9:02pm.Jeff, take your own advice...
Submitted by DrewHendricks on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 9:13pm.Ja, mein fuhrer . . .
Submitted by Tenzing on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 1:37am.C'mon, now...
Submitted by The Fire Inside on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 2:32am.Was anything outrageous being asked?
Stand on the sidewalk? Is that really a difficult request?
And I'm curious, have you been abroad?
anything outrageous?
Submitted by Bert on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 6:58am.It appears that media people / journalists have been targeted in a sort of dragnet operation that appears to be designed to stifle, or quell, dissent.
Questions, Answers
Submitted by Tenzing on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 1:17pm.1. Was anything outrageous being asked?
Yes.
2. Stand on the sidewalk? Is that really a difficult request?
Yes.
3. And I'm curious, have you been abroad
Yes.
WTF??
Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 9:28pm.What does that have to do with Amy Goodman failing to follow the instructions of a police officer in St. Paul?? Absolutely nothing.
Nice try!
Jeff Brigham
"The best defense against terrorism is a strong offensive against terrorists. That work continues.”
President George W. Bush
Following Orders
Submitted by Tenzing on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 1:32pm."Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."
George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., August 5, 2004
Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar Released
Submitted by Bert on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 8:22pm.More information on Pre-emptive raids from DN!
Submitted by Bert on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 9:18pm.The Olympian's Article
Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 9:23pm.Here is the Olympian’s article on the “peaceful protesters”. http://www.theolympian.com/election/presidential/story/569024.html
Here are some photos where you can see the work of the “peaceful protesters”. http://www.theolympian.com/election/presidential/v-standalone/story/569024.html
Jeff Brigham
"The best defense against terrorism is a strong offensive against terrorists. That work continues.”
President George W. Bush
Olympian Article
Submitted by Bert on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 9:36pm.Absence of Bush and Cheney cheers Republican delegates
[p.s., I have no idea what happened to the formatting on this page.]
these used to by hyperlinks
Submitted by JstPlnOnry on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 11:07pm.Bert, Drew
Submitted by Laurian on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 10:12pm.Thanks Laurian
Submitted by Bert on Mon, 09/01/2008 - 10:19pm.Extremist??
Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 4:08am.When you used the term "Extremist", you must have been looking in a mirror. Go ahead and remove the mirror from your monitor.
Jeff Brigham
"The best defense against terrorism is a strong offensive against terrorists. That work continues.”
President George W. Bush
Ha ha Jeff
Submitted by Bert on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 7:00am.haha, no - but seriously. I think Laurian has a point here.
Your views are quite extreme.
Extreme
Submitted by CIAGuy on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 8:42am.Let's not forget...
Submitted by Rick on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 9:21am....who held a sign saying "God Bless Israeli Bulldozers."
If that's not extreme, I don't know what is. Being critical of the PMR tactics doesn't place him in the mainstream. I've been very critical of their approach, and said so on many occasions.
Beware the terrible simplifiers.
Jacob Burckhardt
Obviously she was.....
Submitted by Arts From The Heart on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 7:37am.It's the job...
Submitted by Rick on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 7:40am....of journalists to make trouble for those in power. It helps democracy work.
Beware the terrible simplifiers.
Jacob Burckhardt
Yes I get it
Submitted by Arts From The Heart on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 7:47am.I'm not sure what you mean.
Submitted by Rick on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 8:27am.Could you say more?
Beware the terrible simplifiers.
Jacob Burckhardt
This fella....
Submitted by Arts From The Heart on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 8:51am.I don't think the liberals really benifit with this kind of jounalism, if that is what his purpose is. Something untrue that is intentionally represented as true by the narrator to me is bad press.
As for myself I am non-partisan but leaning more and more conservitive after spending 6 weeks on olyblog.
Keep them coming Bert!
What's the untrue part?
Submitted by Rick on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 9:26am.You're kind of vague on exactly what you take issue with. You've been presented with lots of data, sources, and arguments, but you never seem to want to actually talk about the issues. So: let's hear what you think. The floor is open.
Beware the terrible simplifiers.
Jacob Burckhardt
What? who me?
Submitted by Arts From The Heart on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 9:57am.OK. Now we know.
Submitted by Rick on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:52am.You're not here for conversation.
Beware the terrible simplifiers.
Jacob Burckhardt
I'll post a blog entry soon
Submitted by Arts From The Heart on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 11:07am.My blog entry has been posted
Submitted by Arts From The Heart on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 1:25pm.