By: Dave Astor Amnesty International today criticized the "disproportionate" use of force against demonstrators at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.
As E&P has previously reported, a number of journalists were also affected by the police actions, which included mass arrests. Those journalists included Associated Press people, "Democracy Now!" host/King Features Syndicate columnist Amy Goodman, and others.
Amnesty International called on city and county authorities "to ensure that all allegations of ill-treatment and other abuses are impartially investigated, with a review of police tactics and weapons in the policing of demonstrations."
The human-rights group added that its "concerns arise from media reports and video and photographic images which appear to show police officers deploying unnecessary and disproportionate use of nonlethal weapons on nonviolent protesters marching through the streets or congregating outside the arena where the convention was being held."
Amnesty International urged "that an inquiry be carried out promptly, and that its findings and recommendations be made public in a timely manner. If the force used is found to have been excessive and to have contravened the principles of necessity and proportionality, then those involved should be disciplined, measures put in place, and training given to ensure future policing operations conform to international standards."
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