unconventional behavior
by Paige Cram
Published: September 9, 2008
In the wake of the Republican National Convention, lots of people have been talking about the candidates, the speeches and the excitement about what the next two months could bring. But outside the convention halls and beyond the narrow scope of the mainstream camera lenses, more troubling events of an equally historic nature were taking place.
While our attention was focused elsewhere, a fundamental part of American freedom was being brutally assaulted — quietly, without press coverage, and without the outrage that should accompany such an atrocity.
Last week, dozens of journalists, photographers, videographers and bloggers were harassed, unlawfully searched, tear-gassed, handcuffed and arrested as they tried to cover the convention protests. Many were booked or issued citations despite their clearly marked media credentials. Many also reported harsh treatment while in custody.
So much for freedom of the press.
Among those prevented from working at the convention were prominent members of the independent media such as Amy Goodman of the popular radio program Democracy Now, Associated Press members Matt Rourke, Amy Forliti and Jon Krawczynski, and MyFox national editor John P. Wise.
This type of police intimidation and brutality of the media is unprecedented, unacceptable and quite frankly, un-American. The public should be outraged. And they probably would be if they knew anything about it. But the mainstream media, the Ramsey County Police and the mayor’s office in St. Paul have been largely silent on the events of last week.
Several organizations including the ACLU and the National Lawyers Guild are working in defense of those who were wrongfully arrested, and a group called the Free Press immediately launched a campaign that delivered 60,000 letters to the mayor’s office demanding they drop all charges against journalists.
But the scariest part about all of this is not the arrests themselves. It’s the precedent it could set if these charges are not dropped and the pattern that emerges if we actually stop to examine what happened. All of these journalists were members of small or independent media organizations and all were on assignment to cover convention protests. It is no surprise that the city or the GOP would want to project a squeaky-clean image and minimize coverage of people protesting. But since when is it the job of the police (who are, after all, paid by the citizens) and the mainstream media (who are implicit in their silence) to oblige them?
During Sarah Palin’s speech on Wednesday night, the camera cut to a quick shot of a woman being escorted from the crowd, but no explanation was given and it was not addressed after the speech. When the networks did mention protests, it was only that hundreds of protesters had been arrested and not that the otherwise peaceful crowd was hit with concussion bombs without being given time to disperse.
I know it’s not the job of the media to defend the citizens but it is supposed to be the job of the police force. And when they are not being held accountable for their behavior, when the police get to decide what makes it into the news and what doesn’t, we are no longer in a democracy. We are in a police state.
And that’s a state that this union should never accept.
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Harassment of Amy Goodman and I-Witness journalists, and the press conference regarding the seizure of Glass Bead Collective journalists’ equipment:
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September 11th, 2008 at 2:33 am
Page,
Do you think that the mainstream media is en cahoots with law enforcement to shut down the little guy?
September 11th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Didn’t say that at all. I just said that they weren’t doing their job to inform the public of what was happening. Why that happened, we’ll never know.
September 12th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Paige-
Were you there?
September 14th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Hi Paige, the current administration with the help of the Democrats has completely dismissed the constitution,…
We have lost the republic,,,,,so wake up and smell the coffee…the American people are not interested in a reporters quest for truth….mater of fact we don’t care about the truth…we just want to believe in the main stream media political propaganda “as seen on TV”….. pun… It does not matter what party is in control the middle class folks are going to get screwed.. It appears that both parties elite have a common interest….. I am voting for the Dems cause I want to throw out the current batch of bums….I would like to really vote for Ron Paul………..
September 14th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Who is this guy… Ron Paul …..anyway?
Do you think it’s about time for a third party?…do think main stream news media would give equal time?…matter of fact do you think at all? .mmmm must be an “INSIDE JOB”
September 14th, 2008 at 10:42 am
I’m not sure what you are talking about Dave but please try to keep your comments on my writing relevant to what I’m actually writing about. I’m not discussing third parties here and asking me whether or not I “think at all” is a complete insult. This forum is supposed to be for intelligent discussion not personal attacks.
September 14th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Paige. I am truly sorry that I offended you and apologize for my choice of words. My comments are directed to those that think our Constitutional rights are not in jeopardy. You took my comments personal, my comments are directed to your readers who would disagree with you…
For I truly agree with you, at least your words:
“I know it’s not the job of the media to defend the citizens but it is supposed to be the job of the police force. And when they are not being held accountable for their behavior, when the police get to decide what makes it into the news and what doesn’t, we are no longer in a democracy. We are in a police state.”
If government workers trash the Constitution and you suggest this by your words above than is not our political leadership allowing the trashing of the Constitution?
If you assert that a problem exists, is it not logical that a reply would include a solution?…or are you just looking for someone to agree with you,…and offer sympathy to those who are having there rights trampled on….
September 14th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
That’s a fair point. Thanks for clarifying.
September 15th, 2008 at 2:39 am
That’s incredible. Our country needs some drastic change.