3 University of Kentucky Journalists Jailed at RNC
Sometimes things get out of hand. And, usually, there is a group of people whose occupation it is to protect us from those situations. But as was the case on Monday night in Minnesota, the people who are supposed to protect us got a little bit out of hand themselves.
On Monday night, three colleagues of mine from the Kentucky Kernel were arrested while documenting the protests outside the Republican National Convention. Photographers Ed Matthews and Britney McIntosh, along with photo advisor Jim Winn were all arrested and charged with rioting. Matthews and McIntosh were both charged with felonies, while Winn was charged with a misdemeanor.
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Nothing indicates that any of the three were actually participating in the protests, much less violating any laws that would warrant their arrest. The police officers subdued the Kernel staff members with the use of pepper spray and the threat of a gun, certainly unnecessary given that all evidence suggests that Matthews, McIntosh and Winn were not actually breaking any laws. Regardless, we cannot know whether or not they were acting inappropriately, as they are still incommunicado in the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center. If convicted, Matthews and McIntosh would face a minimum sentence of one year in jail and a $3000 fine. Perhaps the bright spot in all of this is that at least we know what they have been charged with.
More so than the arrest of colleagues, the problem is that this conundrum of excessive police violence is not new. From the unprovoked attack by a New York City police officer on a Critical Mass bicyclist, and the subsequent arrests of those documenting the unconstitutional and overtly violent police actions, to last week’s encounters outside of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, or even this week’s arrest of journalist Amy Goodman, police overreaction has become the expected norm in our society. These previous instances are illustrative that the phenomenon of police violence is not exclusive to the typically high security conventions of the Republican party, but instead have begun to pervade even traditionally liberal or progressive institutions. So, in the face of physical assault, felony charges and unwarranted jail time, how we reclaim our constitutional rights – not just to assemble and protest, but to document these actions as part of a free and open press? Or perhaps the better question is, can we still reclaim these rights?
Photo: Chad Davis via flickr under a Creative Commons License
I was there for a time and many of these protesters were getting way out of hand. Peaceful protest is one thing – but don’t yell obsenities at everyone and block the busy streets.
Always carry a camera with you. Always question authority, always challenge orthodoxy.
Police used to beat up Long Hairs in the Sixties just for having long hair. Don’t we realize that fewer people will speak up, which is vital to a free society.
Does it not remind you of nazi germany…?
John, protesters have nothing to do with the press. Both the 1st Amendment and the 14th Amendment have been used to uphold freedom of the press. Even if the protesters were out of control, the press have a right to document it, certainly without getting arrested, and certainly without getting manhandled like Amy Goodman and the DN producers. Disgusting.
The end is nigh, soon they will put us all in concentration camps and force rfid chips in our right arms, hands and head. Flee my people to the mountains away from Babylon so that you will not partake of her plagues.
Welcome to the New Regime! Just a sign of things to come. thank you Dictator Bush! All hail Bush! Not a lot unlike 60 years ago is it? Sad indeed.
Jess
http://www.anonymize.us.tc
I’m sure this is not really surprising to anyone that has been keeping tabs on the way political conventions have been run.
More average people need to be aware of things like this. Dugg, Twit and then added an excerpt on TNC (http://thenewscoverage.net/6295/)
It was just a few short years ago when a couple fake camera’s, and a shiny name badge holder that had a fake news website listed and the cops just walked right past you.
You hate the police, but would cry if they didn’t help you. Just a bunch of mask wearing pansies hurting people and property, which believe it or not is a crime.
If you don’t want OC sprayed or tear gased, don’t hit cops, or their vehicles. SIMPLE AS THAT. They are taking it light on your buddies.
Did I just break the pink panties code of this website?