By: Dave Astor Free Press -- the national, nonpartisan media reform group -- called today for St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and local law-enforcement officials to drop all charges against all journalists arrested while covering protests outside the Republican National Convention.
Among those arrested Monday were "Democracy Now!" host Amy Goodman and two producers from her show, as well as an Associated Press photographer. Goodman also writes a newspaper column for King Features Syndicate.
"Other independent journalists have been pepper-sprayed and even held at gunpoint during 'preemptive' raids aimed at disrupting protesters," according to Free Press.
"We condemn the arrest and harassment of journalists before and during the Republican National Convention," added Free Press Executive Director Josh Silver in a statement. "We call on the mayor, district attorney, and police chief to rein in the overly aggressive -- and even violent -- tactics of law enforcement.
"Arresting and detaining journalists for doing their jobs is a gross violation of free speech and freedom of the press. We call for the immediate release of any journalists being held in the Twin Cities and for all charges to be dropped immediately. Reporting by independent journalists is the only way for the American public to learn the full story, and they must be free to do their jobs without intimidation."
An earlier story about the arrests can be seen
here.
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