More on journalist arrests at the RNC

[solarbird]

DemocracyNow producer Nicole Salazar's camera footage from her arrest while attempting to cover a police action at the Republican National Convention. I think I hear her trying to offer her press credentials to the riot police, but I can't be sure of that. This is before she's screaming "PRESS! PRESS!" as she's knocked to the ground:

Video post-release, after being charged with felony intent to riot:

Not very long ago, press credentials somewhat reliably prevented your arrest when attempting to cover news stories - even IMC passes like I had got you a nod as long as you had a professional's camera. I got a lot of the tear-gas two-step at Seattle WTO, but the police never moved directly against me, with my credentials (lame tho' IMC credentials are) prominently showing. Clearly, that's no longer the case.

Comments

[flashfire.livejournal.com]

That is troubling.

So is this (http://ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2008093709/will-drill-baby-drill-temper-tantrum-shut-down-our-government).

[solarbird]

This would be in line with suggestions made that over the last few years, GOP policies have devolved fundamentally to supporting whatever pisses off "liberals," whether those policies actually do anyone any good or not. A politics of spite, if you like. This would be an example.

[quen-elf.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's pretty worrying.

My dad (who has a press pass) photographs demonstrations etc in London pretty much all the time, and he's never been arrested for it or beaten up etc. Not sure if that says anything about a difference in policing between UK and US or not. I think he tends to avoid actual riots, though.

He *did* get stopped and searched under terrorism laws when approaching heathrow airport on his bike one time. Because 60s white guys riding pedal bikes are obvious terror suspects, or because hey! they've finally abandoned racial profiling! Orrrrrr because the Met (police) use terrorism laws at every excuse for demonstrations and suchlike even when there is no possible terrorist action. Take your pick.