Republican National Convention coverage
Update: Three more photojournalists arrested on felony riot charges are still in jail.
By Carlos Miller
In what has been the most violent clash between police and protesters at the Republican National Convention, police ended up arresting four journalists trying to document the altercations.
The arrests include AP photographer Matt Rourke, who was held on a “gross misdemeanor riot charge” and Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!, who was charged with obstruction.
Goodman was arrested after she tried to intervene on the arrest of two Democracy Now! producers, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar, who were charged with “conspiracy to riot”.
The video of Goodman’s arrest, posted below, received more than 60,000 views within hours after it was posted on Youtube Monday.
Before he was arrested, Rourke shot some of the most compelling photos that have been posted of the protest so far, including one photo where protesters have just smashed the windows of a police car as well as another photo of police shooting pepper spray at the protesters.
Judging by his proximity to the protesters, as opposed to the other photographers who are standing safely behind the police as they shoot pepper spray into the crowd, Rourke got a little too close for comfort, not that he broke any laws. His photos, four of which are posted here, are well-worth the arrest.
The arrests occurred after more than 10,000 people participated in an antiwar march through the streets of downtown St. Paul. After the peaceful protest, several hundred self-described anarchists turned violent, smashing windows, throwing bottles, slashing car tires and harassing republican delegates.
The Minnesota National Guard was called in and more than 250 people were arrested, including the four journalists.
The Associated Press and Democracy Now! believe the arrests were violations of the journalsts’ constitutional rights.
“Covering news is a constitutionally protected activity, and covering a riot is part of that coverage,” AP spokesman David Ake said. “Photographers should not be detained for covering breaking news.”
All three (Democracy Now! journalists) 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.
Late Monday night, police had already released the three Democracy Now! journalists and said they planned to release Rourke with no charges against him, something I doubt they would do if Rourke did not have the support of the AP behind him.
Check out an AP video of the protest below.
Popularity: 7% [?]
48 responses so far ↓
1 Ms Calabaza // Sep 2, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Carlos,
I may have to disagree with you on this one. These mobs of “anarchists” (basically wanna-be rebels) are creating havoc for havoc’s sake. The city and its people need to be protected and believe me this is not a partisan view, I felt the same way when the DNC had their convention.
2 Carlos Miller // Sep 2, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Ms C,
I do agree that if the protesters commit crime, such as smashing windows and slashing tires, then they should be arrested.
The issue I have is when police arrest the journalists trying to document the events.
3 Not your father's USA // Sep 2, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Please watch or listen to, Democracy Now, as much as possible. Amy Goodman is about the only journalist working in the USA who deserves respect.
4 Paul Kruger // Sep 2, 2008 at 3:42 PM
It is not uncommon for opponents of a cause to place people in the protest to deliberatly cause problems, knowing it will be blamed on the legitimate protesters.
If the Police do any real investigation at all, they may find that the troublemakers were affiliated, not with the cause but with the causes enemies. But given the possibility that the city government itself wanted to discredit liberal causes, they may have been the very ones to plant the ringers.
In any event I am willing to bet those arrested were collared only for the purpose of covering up police aggression and were not violating any laws. Scapegoats if you will…
5 socrates2 // Sep 2, 2008 at 3:46 PM
I hate to sound like a paranoid cynic, but who’s to say that Rove & company did not hire agent provocateurs,
a: in order to sabotage a peaceful demonstration, and
b: more importantly, discredit patriotic citizens as “violent leftist radicals, so that
c: Voters in fear and panic–as happened in 1968 after the anti-war demonstrations and riots –voted for Nixon–the Republican “choice”– who promised to restore “law and order.”
I am 57. I have a bad feeling about this deja vu…
6 Alexandria Walters // Sep 2, 2008 at 3:58 PM
I really can’t believe that something like this is still happening in 2008. I thought that events like this were confined to the 1960′s and 1970′s.
7 enhager // Sep 2, 2008 at 4:12 PM
8 Roger Kramer // Sep 2, 2008 at 4:17 PM
There seem to be rights and wrongs on both sides. To paraphrase Thomas Jefferson; A little revolution is a good thing.
Freedom of the press is an absolute condition of our Bill of Rights. Without it democracy cannot survive. The police tleadership of Chicago didn’t understand that in 68 and it seems the police leadership of St. Paul does not get it in 2008.
Democracy does tend to be very messy!
9 SM C // Sep 2, 2008 at 4:22 PM
THe idiots that smash in Police car windows and such have little to do with actula protest articlated by IVAW or VVAW or any other organ of anti-oestablishment portest. I bet they are agent provacateurs. Whether they are bought by the “republicans” or some obsure rectionary, the result is the same: wanton destruction attributed to the peace movement. Wake up, suckers.
10 sandsman1 // Sep 2, 2008 at 4:37 PM
The press didn’t smash any windows or what not and should not have been interfered with, The others that caused the trouble well you get what you ask for — but I also think if your quiet as a mouse you may get a little cheese but I don’t think you will ever get anymore then that, and nothing will ever change
11 kjo46 // Sep 2, 2008 at 4:46 PM
I’m with Socrates 2. I’m 62 and remember 1964,65,66,67,68…. all those years of protest exacerbated and sabotaged by agents provocateurs
supplied by the Right… all the needless violence and ultimate discrediting by the Right.. all the unfair media coverage sponsored by the Right…leading to America’s ultimate swing to the Right for the next 38 years.
12 Tiffany // Sep 2, 2008 at 4:50 PM
I hate to be devil’s advocate, but the police were clearly in a high stress situation with violent activities being conducted from some, at least, of the crowd, and it doesn’t take a ringer when you have enough stupid people in the world. Certainly I am in favor of freedom of the press, and some of those shots were really worth it- but good journalists have to recognize the situation and understand that the police can’t afford to discriminate and say oh you’re press well then you can be in harm’s way. I’m really glad there is press out there willing to take their scrapes and they deserve our respect, but so do the police who are only human and trying their best to protect the innocent even when it’s not clear who the innocent are.
13 Carlos Miller // Sep 2, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Tiffany,
If I was at a protest and was carrying a hammer and was seen smashing windows – as the protesters in the above photo – then I deserve to be arrested.
If I was at a protest and I’m carrying a camera and I’m doing nothing but photographing the events, then I don’t deserve to be photographed.
It might be a high-stress situation, but police surely can tell the difference between a hammer and a camera.
14 Carlos Miller // Sep 2, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Meant to say, I don’t deserve to be “arrested” instead of “photographed”.
Stupid new Word Press doesn’t allow me to edit comments anymore.
15 Chris // Sep 2, 2008 at 5:45 PM
I’m going to agree with Tiffany here, and I am certainly not playing devil’s advocate.
The photographers knew the risks of being in with the crowd, or at least they should have. Being press might be enough to get charges dropped (and should be) but it shouldn’t shield you from the arrest in the first place, not when you’re in with the rioters. Why? Because “I’m Press” can be shouted by anybody.
Yes, the photographers should be let off with an official apology. They were arrested, our bad, try to stay out of the line of fire next time.
The reporter charged with obstructing justice, however, is another matter. Her case is a little more fuzzy and it may well deserve to go to court.
16 Carlos Miller // Sep 2, 2008 at 5:49 PM
Chris,
But there is no crime in protesting. And there is no crime in photographing protests, whether you are media or not.
The crimes committed at these protests was the vandalism.
Unless police saw a photographer or protester committing a crime, then I don’t see why they should have been arrested.
17 Chris // Sep 2, 2008 at 6:02 PM
There is no crime in protesting -peacefully.- It is, in fact, a protected right.
“Peaceful” is the key word there. Once demonstrators begin vandalising property, they turn a peaceful protest into a riot. At that point, it is not only not protected, it is illegal.
Officers can’t necissarily tell who was an instigator of a riot, who participated, or who was merely caught up in the momentum. Thus, if you are in a group of people who are rioting, you get arrested, and they’ll sort out the details later.
18 Markum // Sep 2, 2008 at 6:38 PM
I would be surprised if the “anarchists” were NOT agent provocateurs. The CIA has always used them extensively to undermine protest.
19 Notso // Sep 2, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Chris,
Once the journalists were handcuffed, they still had their press passes on.! The Democracy Now staff apparently had TWO – one press pass was even of a higher level, an RNC (Republican National Convention) pass. The Secret Service apparently walked up to them and REMOVED their RNC press passes, saying “you won’t be needing these anymore.”
20 Mertze Dahlin // Sep 2, 2008 at 7:00 PM
If I had been near the RNC area, I would likely have been one of the Peaceful Protesters of the war. Protester groups of this type sometimes draws extra supporters who have not considered the implications of what they do. That’s where Anarchism enter the picture. They wanted to draw a lot of attention to their feelings about the war and the Police paid attention, as quick and as brutal as they thought they could get away with.
The RNC has attracted many Journalists and their Photographers who began to document these arrests. The Police, perhaps to avoid the embarrassment of being exposed for their method of suppressing some of the war resisters, turned to the Journalists and tried their best to suppress them.
These are now the examples of how our First Amendment Rights are being denied and are now being viewed around the world.
Perhaps Minneapolis and St. Paul is no longer in need of tourists any more.
21 frank67 // Sep 2, 2008 at 8:28 PM
Well, as Stupid said: “The Constitution is just a goddamned piece of paper!”
Evidently, the St. Paul PD has taken Stupid’s words as gospel! I guess the Bill of Rights is also “Just a goddamned piece of paper” too.
I ‘ll tell you one thing: If McBushCain is elected, I am moving out of the United States. I am a 70 year old veteran of 28 years active duty in the US Air Force. Plus I just retired after 22 years working for a County government. Canada, Australia, New Zealand – here I come!
22 Jian // Sep 2, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Wisdom is found only in Truth
23 Caughtupinthemix // Sep 2, 2008 at 9:29 PM
I originally spent the day checking thing’s out around the rnc, planning on going to take back labor day on harriet Island. I started heading from the capital, passing blocks upon blocks of police in riot gear. We got fed up and snuck around one of the blockades, came to shepard road, and the police let us through. Walking towards the bridge that connects shepard to harriet island, we hear explosions and screaming. Needless to say we turned around as people started running, along with several young teenagers that were just relaxing in the parks. Tear gas and flash bang grenades are going off all around us. We start walking back towards where we came in, which is now blocked, and anyone that is trying to get passed is now getting threatened, and maced. Completely boxed in, no ability to leave or even approach officers, we take a seat in the park listening to the concert across the river. The officers soon set a perimeter around the park closing in, and announce that we are all being arrested. Sitting there with exposed tattoo’s, and converse all stars mind you. Profiling ensues. I was arrested, spent 5 hours in custody, was ticketed for present at an unlawful assembley and refuses to leave. I have no reciept for my belongings, no cell phone, DL, money, ATM cards, and was dumped on the street. Empty pockets I ask a stranger for change to make a phone call…..
24 Gary // Sep 2, 2008 at 9:46 PM
This type of military police state violence is not unlike that instituted by the USA and CIA in other countries, such as Chile under Pinochet on Sept 11, 1973. Journalists and even university Economics professors were kidnapped and disappeared, to silence opposition.
Chickens … roost.
Likewise, little known, was support for Franco, Mussolini, and Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party by Wall Street tycoons and other Main Street groups, as preferable to democracy. Some elites and rightists utterly hate democracy, and unfortunately Establishment liberals have historically abetted them by refusing to see the trees for the forest. As a matter of fact, A. Harriman and his employee Prescott Bush, two top Hitler supporters, were considered Eastern Liberal Establishment in the US.
But the Southern Dems turned Republican who lean towards their fringe base of KKK and Neo-Nazi types picked up the mantle of outright fascism over the last two decades. I know this sounds like “conspiracy theory” crap, but it’s true.
25 EDWinter // Sep 2, 2008 at 9:55 PM
kjo46 // Sep 2, 2008 at 4:46 pm.
Are you really serious .. or are trying to spread more lies that fringe elements of the left are notorious for… I also remember the riots seen a few first hand and know those involved…throughout the last several decades and in every case they were instigated by violent leftist, anarchists and communists … regardless of your spin… Maybe your lackys on this site will believe your drivel … and that is really pathetic .. but then again most of you are poster children for pathetic and cartoonish behavior…
26 EDWinter // Sep 2, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Caughtupinthemix // Sep 2, 2008 at 9:29 pm
What do you expect the police to do? you have the equivalent of terrorists destroying property and threatening lives they don’t have time to try and deal with your liberal sensitivites … they have to restore order…
too bad next time avoid try to avoid riots
27 Blake // Sep 2, 2008 at 10:19 PM
First, Press personnel (who were wearing their official press credentials at the time) being detained, arrested, and are now facing felony charges for covering the activities going on outside of the Xcel Energy Center is an outrage!
If you can’t tell the difference between a hammer and a camera at a glance you shouldn’t be a cop!
Second, an AP photographer was among those arrested, and AP doesn’t give that its own story on their website.
Where is the coverage by anyone except for the independent media?
Lastly, how about those “preemptive” raids on Friday targeting journalists? No coverage there.
28 JLangley // Sep 2, 2008 at 10:33 PM
In response to “understand that the police can’t afford to discriminate and say oh you’re press well then you can be in harm’s way”: police don’t arrest people for being in harm’s way. Also, police are just people. They are as a whole not very competent. Case in point (this happened in my city): burglar alarm went off at a house, police ‘checked the house’ and told the alarm co. to turn it off, which they did, Problem was, they were to lazy to walk around the back of the house and see the bakc door is open! Also, we have a QuickTrip convinience store that is a ‘police substation,’ and a McDonald’s. The problem is, police will treat you bad, because they can. And its common knowledge EDWinter that both police and postal employees see no problem in stealing personal effects and mail. They do it all the time. And police are required to stereotype; did you know that I am considered more likely to be a terrorist as an artist than a factory worker would be? Our schools are attacked and what happens? We star looking for the kids wearing all black. The problem is that we have incompetent politicians that control the hiring of incompetent subordinates. We Americans are a whole country of idiots and morons who perpetuate their lack of intelligence (and I include myself). And yes, because of the mentality of police officers, I do believe Caughtupinthemix. EDWinter, have you ever heard of McCarthy? I’d bet he would like you. He blamed all our problems on “violent leftist, anarchists and communists” too, instead of looking at the real source: everyday, ordinary people doing bad things. Our lives are affected by the nearest drug dealer much more than they ever will be by a secret communist agenda. McCarthy though the way you did and terrorized citizens of the U.S. and ruined people’s lives based on his actions. Also, look up Communism and Socialism. There is a difference. WHile you are at it, do some reading about WWII, and how the US government ordered all persons of Japanese origin to be rounded up and placed in concentration camps. The Germans may have had them, but so did the US. Also look up how our great rocket and space program got started: through the efforts of a German scientist who designed the flying bombs Hitler attacked Europe with. Our own engineers designed the Explorer, which failed liftoff and sent our rival to Sputnik rolling across the ground. Then we used von Braun, and look at his results. Actually, it was von Braun who came up with the idea of a resuable space plane (the shuttle). In the 1950s (and now we wonder why its getting old – 50s idea, 70s design, parts made all over to appease the politicians, etc.). But anyway, yes as a whole our government in general and the Justice department in particular seems to be a bit incompetent these days. This is why a housing bill was thoguht of that basically helps everyone who took out a loan they couldn’t afford, and gives nothing to those who follow the rules and act in an ethical way with their finances.
29 JLangley // Sep 2, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Sorry about the rambling, I just put many of my complaints about various aspects of government and the US in there. I’ll try to stay more on topic.
30 Caughtupinthemix // Sep 2, 2008 at 10:35 PM
I just told my story. This was my experience.
31 Caughtupinthemix // Sep 2, 2008 at 10:42 PM
I do not follow politics, or in my mind have a reason to. I thought people might be interested in an unbiased opinion from an innocent bystander.
(ed winter)
32 Stupid Amerkin // Sep 3, 2008 at 1:16 AM
The mindless nazie puppets following their orders supported by the spineless coward BOB FLETCHER who calls himself a sheriff. What a joke. This is totally out of control.
God help us all
33 BarbD // Sep 3, 2008 at 7:59 AM
What shocks this 54-year old most is the lack of mainstream coverage about what I’m reading and viewing this morning in the alternative, independent media. I was too young in ’68 (14) to take part in the protests roiling the country, but based on what I’ve seen and read, I find it just as ludicrous now (as then) to “blame the victims” for their treatment at the hands of (probably frightened, certainly out of control) police officers. I understand that people who perpetrate violence must be restrained. I don’t understand how people with cameras, mics and press passes — not to mention innocent passers-by — are treated the same as people wielding hammers and smashing windows. This is not what my country stands for, and I refuse to accept what happened to innocents in St. Paul/Minneapolis as collateral damage.
34 Scott // Sep 3, 2008 at 8:04 AM
You know I noticed a lot of you, not all of you, but a lot blaming the violence on anarchists. That is not correct. Anarchy is just a political theory just like Democracy or Republics. It does not encourage it’s followers to be violent in any way. I would know, I’ve been an Anarchist for quite a while now.
Oh and about the photographers, once violence started the police had the authority to call it a violent riot and so to arrest anyone there. Just for being near a riot. It’s really flimsy.
35 to all you whinners // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Alls fair in love and war. Once a protest turns violent do not expect the same rights or privileges. If you ride with the violators, you swing with them.
I would have liked it if the female journalist who was arrested would have acted with a little more dignity. Instead she became a shrieking shrew.
36 Scott // Sep 3, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Oy, you do know that journalists aren’t on any side right. They are objective (supposedly). So they are not “riding” with anyone.
37 Cale T // Sep 3, 2008 at 2:34 PM
The Republicans flew their own people into Florida in 2000 to stage an aggressive “protest” for the purpose of stopping the Recount.
The legitimate protest of the RNC has been broadcast for nearly a year ahead of time, they knew it was coming.
There’s also been a history of military and government personnel dressed as protesters trying to instigate violence within the crowds, this way they cover their own arse when they use excessive force.
We’ve just reached the tipping point. When the aggressive war on Journalism begins, the rest follows shortly. Wake up, People.
38 Jane // Sep 3, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Why is it that when an unconstitutional act occurs and anyone points it out, there are people who call it whining? Is it easier to call names than to look at and analyze the facts?
39 Thomas McHugh // Sep 3, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Well jane, the way I figure it, theres a lot of folks who are real comfortable being sheep and being told what to think and how to feel about things so when those of us who refuse to be submissive get out and protest then its only logical for the sheep to call us whiners.
Having said that, I dont believe in or condone violant protest for the very simple reason that its more honorable and dignified to make your case in a peacefull manner not to mention that any violance on the parts of the protesters actually does more to give both the sheep and the dictatorial shepherds ammo to use against them.
40 Scott // Sep 3, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Of course it does. I think all of us here are against violent protest.
41 Bob // Sep 3, 2008 at 7:51 PM
Much of this could very well be the result of on-going police training in Israel (often co-ordinated by the ADL).
42 Bob // Sep 3, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Also, Blackwater type rent-a-goon outfits have no loyalty to citizens — only to their paymasters.
43 libhomo // Sep 3, 2008 at 8:17 PM
These attacks on the constitution and the rule of law are truly dangerous.
44 Bubba Grizzly // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Seems like it doesn’t matter if you are “left” or “right”, reporter or civilian….the “police state” (to protect and serve) law enforcement??? has the final say. From United States …to Baltic States in a flash!!!!!
45 Abridging Freedom // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:54 PM
(To all you whinners) Hey Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Morris, Washington and Hamilton… “Thou dost protest too much, me thinks!” This is directed at those of you who blame the victims with numerous uneducated interpretations of the meaning for “Rights Granted By The Creator!!!” When all else fails, assassinate the character. “Shrieking shrew”? Let’s have a contest…What sound do you make when jack-booted thugs drive your face down into the pavement and drag you by your leg? So what does ‘whinners’ mean anyway?
46 B // Sep 4, 2008 at 1:28 AM
It’s quite difficult for a working press photographer to smash windows, loot and overturn cars with all their expensive equipment. The police are using a bogus argument and they know it.
47 iwonderwhatthisbuttondoes // Sep 4, 2008 at 10:22 PM
All I can say is, where are the weather underground when you need them?
48 Ripster40 // Sep 25, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Its sad to see that there are people who went and go “Well its your fault your a photographer and they don’t know that your either a rioter or a media personal” Yet prior protest/riots hardly any reporters/photographers where arrested.
Get something better trolls!
Also I am a support of police in honesty, but seeing and watching the story unfold just make me sick. I hope some people lose there positions as officers because of this.
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