[Peace] Urgent Action Alert: Amy Goodman Unlawfully Arrested At RNC

[carol inskeep]

Amy Goodman and Two Democracy Now! Producers Unlawfully Arrested At the RNC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.democracynow.org

September 1, 2008

Contact:
Denis Moynihan 917-549-5000
Mike Burke 646-552-5107, mike at democracynow.org

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

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