Protest Arrests of Democracy Now! Journalists Covering Republican Convention

Following the arrests yesterday of noted journalist Amy Goodman and two of her producers from Democracy Now! while they were covering the arrests of demonstrators at the Republican National Convention, DN has released an action call for letters and emails to prosecutors in charge. (H/T to MS at Daily Kos)

I strongly urge my readers to write or contact the individuals named in the press release and call for an immediate dropping of all charges against those arrested.

Today it is critical that you make your voice heard in the Ramsey County Attorney and St. Paul City Attorney offices. Demand that they drop all pending and current charges against journalists arrested while reporting on protests outside the Republican National Conventions.

The Ramsey County Attorney’s office is in the process of deciding whether or not to press felony P.C. (probable cause) riot charges against Democracy Now! Producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. Please contact Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner by all means possible to demand that her office not press charges against Kouddous and Salazar.

Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner
RCA at co.ramsey.mn.us (cc: dropthecharges at democracynow.org)
651-266-3222

Susan Gaertner for Governor
info at susangaertner.com (cc: dropthecharges at democracynow.org)
(612) 978-8625
(612)804-6156

The St. Paul City Attorney’s office has already charged Amy Goodman with misdemeanor obstruction of a legal process and interference with a peace officer. Contact St. Paul City Attorney John Choi by all means possible to demand that the charges against Goodman be dropped immediately.

St. Paul City Attorney John Choi
john.choi at ci.stpaul.mn.us (cc: dropthecharges at democracynow.org) (651) 266-8710

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.

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, as was a photographer for the Associated Press.

IMPORTANT

Be sure to cc: dropthecharges@democracynow.org on all emails so that our team can deliver print outs of your messages to the St. Paul City Attorney and Ramsey County Attorney offices.

The arrest of Nicole Salazar
(Thanks YouTube, and H/T to Dave1942 at Daily Kos)

For those wishing to protest the preemptive arrests made via police invasions of homes in St. Paul, as reported yesterday, the following contacts are via Michael Gass at Docudharma:

Ramsey County contact info:

email: ContactRamseyCounty@co.ramsey.mn.us
tel #: 651-266-8500

Here is who needs to be contacted:

Ramsey County Manager: David J. Twa
Email: david.twa@co.ramsey.mn.us
Phone: 651-266-8000
Fax: 651-266-8039