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Rage Against the RNC
Rage Against the Machine performs at the RNC in protest, not support. Proving to be a more hostile event, the Daily Fix shows you the chaos and protests outside the convention. Rage Against the Machine performs at the RNC in protest, not support. Proving to be a more hostile event, the Daily Fix shows you the ... more
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Citizens being randomly nabbed off the streets by Police in St Paul
At 4:00 with music playing at the rally at the Capitol a team of one to two dozen bike-mounted police officers swept in from clear across the capitol lawn directly up to two young people, a man and a woman, who were lounging in the grass, formed a circle around them and arrested them. According to Sgt. John Lazoya of the St. Paul Police Department, the young man was a suspect in the shattering of the Macy’s store window. Lazoya said police officers had been given information with details about the young man on fliers before the concert. When they circled the suspects, the growd gathered to hear the music surrounded the officers chanting “Let them go” and, as the pair were taken away in plastic handcuffs, “This is what a police state looks like.”
At 4:52, Lazoya approached in a vehicle with a PA system, announcing, “Your parade permit will expire at 5 pm… If you continue with your parade, you will be in violation of city ordinance CH366A.” As he pulled away, people were heard yelling, “They can’t hear you.”
Immediately the march began filing out as riot police took positions along the edge of the capitol building. The crowd chants, “What do we want? Troops out. When do we want it? Now!”
At 4:57, police are running to new positions as the march appears to be taking an unsanctioned route — directly down the capitol lawn. Police in riot gear are at the ready.
More at link… At 4:00 with music playing at the rally at the Capitol a team of one to two dozen bike-mounted police officers swept in from clear acr... more -
How the RNC bought the Police
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Taxpayers should be off the hook for any damages stemming from claims of police misconduct related to the Republican National Convention under a first-of-its-kind agreement.
The deal required the Republican Party's host committee to buy insurance covering up to $10 million in damages and unlimited legal costs for law enforcement officials accused of brutality, violating civil rights and other misconduct.
Other cities who hosted conventions in recent years - including Denver, Boston, New York and Philadelphia - either covered those costs from their general budgets or used tax money to buy insurance policies. ST. PAUL, Minn. - Taxpayers should be off the hook for any damages stemming from claims of police misconduct related to the Republican... more -
Why we were falsely arrested, by Amy Goodman
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Government crackdowns on journalists are a true threat to democracy. As the Republican National Convention meets in St. Paul, Minn., this week, police are systematically targeting journalists. I was arrested with my two colleagues, "Democracy Now!" producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar, while reporting on the first day of the RNC. I have been wrongly charged with a misdemeanor. My co-workers, who were simply reporting, may be charged with felony riot.
[continued at link] ST. PAUL, Minn. - Government crackdowns on journalists are a true threat to democracy. As the Republican National Convention meets in ... more -
17 Year old RNC protester assaulted by police
The practicing Buddhist was assuaulted by five police officers while he particpated in a protest of the RNC. Video at the link shows the young man acting peacefully. Another photo at the link shows an impression of a boot mark in the young man's back. The practicing Buddhist was assuaulted by five police officers while he particpated in a protest of the RNC. Video at the link shows ... more
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McCain rejects Palin questions as 'faux media scandal'
Sarah Palin prepared for the speech of her life Wednesday as John McCain's campaign called for an end to questions about its review of her background and derided a "faux media scandal designed to destroy the first female Republican nominee" for vice president...
Rest at Link... Sarah Palin prepared for the speech of her life Wednesday as John McCain's campaign called for an end to questions about its revi... more -
Police raid and detain indie journalists in the days leading up to the Repub Conve...
MINNEAPOLIS POLICE TARGET AND OBSTRUCT INDEPENDENT PRESS COVERAGE IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION
Repeated attacks on the civil liberties of independent press and activists before and during the election process emerge as a pattern
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (August 30, 2008) – FBI and Minneapolis police continue attacks on independent journalists in the days leading up to the Republican National Convention, obstructing coverage of important concurrent events. On Saturday morning an FBI officer and a chief deputy from the Douglas County Sheriff’s dept. along with approximately 30 St. Paul police officers bearing firearms, tasers, pepper spray and at least one AR-15 surrounded a house where members of I-Witness Video Collective and journalist Elizabeth Press from Democracy Now were meeting. National Lawyer’s Guild Legal Observer Sarah Coffey was detained in handcuffs outside the building while acting as a liaison with the police. Occupants of the building did not consent to a search and were forced to lock themselves in the building. At approximately 3:00 p.m. (CDT) police officers tried to serve a warrant that had the wrong address. After being denied entry they stormed the building through the attic by gaining access to an adjacent property. The warrant covered all of journalistic equipment including privileged notes, computers, cameras, video tapes and communication devices. People inside were forcefully detained, photographed and police made a record of their names and addresses. After a 45 minute search the police released all detainees and left without seizing any of the equipment. Five other members of I-Witness video who were not present at the house were also simultaneously detained. Three of them detained as they were riding their bicycles a mile away from the scene of the search and the other two as they were driving in a car. The three-hour detainment stopped the media group from documenting three other raids happening simultaneously against activist groups in Minneapolis and St Paul.
This follows an incident from earlier this week when three members of Glass Bead Collective were illegally detained and had their equipment and notes confiscated by the Minneapolis police.
I-Witness Video is an independent media group using video to protect civil liberties. During the 2004 Republican National Convention in NYC, video evidence provided by I-Witness Video exonerated 400 arrestees by exposing lies stated by the NYPD in sworn legal affidavits. MINNEAPOLIS POLICE TARGET AND OBSTRUCT INDEPENDENT PRESS COVERAGE IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION ... more -
RNC Music In Minneapolis
From Denver to St. Paul, the Daily Fix party-hops to the RNC to check out the music scene and bring you another great line-up.
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Planning to go to Minneapolis? Bring these: 5 Things every journalist should have ...
Going by the startling amount and violence of police action at the conventions so far, there are certain items which anyone going into the Twin Cities should have. Good luck, and happy filiming!
#1: Gas mask
Watching footage from the conventions, there seems to be an awful lot of pepper spray going around. Whenever riot cops put on their masks, it's a good idea for you to do the same.
In terms of value and comfort, the Russian GP-5 is one of your best bets. Just have a short haircut, I hear it pulls like hell when you take it off. Keep it in it's bag until you use it, a gas mask is like a bullseye to these guys.
http://www.google.com/products?q=GP-5%20Gasmask&ie=...
#2: Hydration Pack
Dehydration will incapacitate you just as surely as a smack from a stun baton for "unlawful filming" will. You can easily make a DIY hydration pack with a large plastic bag, hose, and backpack, but you might want to drop 20 bucks for quality's sake.
http://www.google.com/products?q=Hydration+pack&btn...
#3: "Press" patches and clothing
Even if you're just a citizen journalist for Current, a big patch across your back that says "PRESS" will make an over-aggressive officer think twice about messing with you.
#4: Good boots
If you're going to be walking around a lot, you'll need some decent hiking/combat boots. Try army surplus for the good stuff.
#5: Secure data storage
You never know when some enforcer creep is going to want to paw through your personal data and "accidentally" delete it. Encrypt your data!
If you feel like spending a hefty $80-300 for 1-8 GB of total data security, the Ironkey is the way to go. Military grade encryption, stainless steel case, epoxy potting, and a self destruct mechanism make this a perfect choice. Going by the startling amount and violence of police action at the conventions so far, there are certain items which anyone going into... more -
LIVE FOOTAGE-- Police Turn RNC into war zone- LITERALLY
Police fire grenades into a crowd of protesters
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Democracy Now's Amy Goodman Arrested at RNC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.democracynow.org
September 1, 2008
Contact:
Denis Moynihan 917-549-5000
Mike Burke 646-552-5107, mike@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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--~-- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE www.democracynow.org September 1, 2008 Contact: Denis Moynihan 917-549-5000 ... more -
Palin confirms daughter's pregnancy
The Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has announced that her 17-year-old daughter is pregnant, in an announcement intended to knock down rumors by liberal bloggers that Palin faked her own pregnancy to cover up for her child. The Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has announced that her 17-year-old daughter is pregnant, in an announcement int... more
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Police search homes, seize contraband in advance of RNC
Authorities have searched several homes in Minneapolis and one in St. Paul Saturday ahead of the opening of the Republican National Convention.
These raids followed a search of a former theater in St. Paul being used by an anarchist group. Authorities have searched several homes in Minneapolis and one in St. Paul Saturday ahead of the opening of the Republican National Co... more -
GOP sees potential redemption in Gustav
Republican officials say their radically curtailed convention offers a big political opportunity for the party to redeem itself on the competence issue — and for John McCain to step out of President Bush’s shadow once and for all.
There's no doubt it's a bit morbid to think about (and write about) the politics of a potential natural disaster and the thoughts — and prayers — of those gathering here are keenly focused on the Americans who face potential peril in Gustav’s path. That’s true for Republicans, Democrats and members of the media alike. Republican officials say their radically curtailed convention offers a big political opportunity for the party to redeem itself on the... more -
McCain orders convention changes because of storm
McCain ordered changes in the Republican National Convention that was to be a four-day celebration of his presidential nomination Sunday, to "redirect our efforts" to reflect the seriousness of Hurricane Gustav as it churned toward the Gulf Coast. President Bush, Vice President Cheney and prominent GOP governors decided to skip the gathering altogether. McCain ordered changes in the Republican National Convention that was to be a four-day celebration of his presidential nomination Sund... more
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McCain: I may postpone convention
John McCain said the Republican National Convention may be postponed as federal officials said Hurricane Gustav was gathering to a devastating Category 5 as it headed toward star-crossed New Orleans.
“It just wouldn't be appropriate to have a festive occasion while a near-tragedy or a terrible challenge is presented in the form of a natural disaster,” McCain told Chris Wallace of “Fox News Sunday,” in an interview taped for tomorrow. “So we're monitoring it from day to day and I'm saying a few prayers, too.”
Maria Cino, the convention’s president and chief executive officer, said in a statement to Politico: "Like all Americans, our prayers are with those who will be affected by Hurricane Gustav. We continue to closely monitor the movement of the storm and are considering necessary contingencies.
On Friday, Cino vowed on C-SPAN, in a quote picked up by the Drudge Report, that the gavel will come down. John McCain said the Republican National Convention may be postponed as federal officials said Hurricane Gustav was gathering to a dev... more -
Family Values Anti-Agenda @ RNC
Sex-worker advocacy groups have a habit of making dire predictions every time a convention comes around. But despite their alarms, by most accounts, there will be a modest bump in the number of call girls available locally. One local escort service said they'd be hiring only 10 to 15 additional women.
However, the area's strip clubs are certainly staffing up. Employees at Rick's Cabaret in downtown Minneapolis aren't allowed to take vacations during the convention, according to Allan Priaulx, a spokesman for the club. "We're also starting a little campaign -- if you ever wanted to dance at a gentleman's club, now would be the time to come to Rick's Cabaret and try out," he says.
Around the corner at Schieks Palace Royale, the number of entertainers is expected to almost double to more than 60 per evening. "We have clubs around the country, including two on both sides of Denver," says Julian Royal, area director at Schieks. "So I get to kind of judge what happens in Denver before we get our turn with the Republicans." Sex-worker advocacy groups have a habit of making dire predictions every time a convention comes around. But despite their alarms, by ... more -
Minneapolis Mayor wants GOP to get Drunk
Apparently R.T. Rybak, the mayor of Minneapolis wants the Republicans to get drunk so the democrats can sweep in and win the election. Gotta love a politician with a sense of humour :) Apparently R.T. Rybak, the mayor of Minneapolis wants the Republicans to get drunk so the democrats can sweep in and win the election.... more
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Police abuse power ahead of Republican Convention
Police are abusing journalists first amendment rights, and violating search laws according to the Twin Cities Daily Planet. Three New York journalists had their laptops, cell phones, money, and clothing taken by police for allegedly trespassing. The journalists say they can prove they were not trespassing. Another journalist was arrested after he took photographs of police outside the RNC. The journalist was released without charges and told to stay away from the Republican National Convention.
Other civilians have been harassed as well, "On Saturday evening, six people were detained in downtown St. Paul. The group was allegedly photographed, patted down and had its belongings searched without permission. They also said they were asked if they were “militant protesters or anarchists.”
“We were told that we were being made an example of and that we should go and tell our friends that they will meet the same reaction if they’re seen anywhere near the location of the St. Paul Police Department Headquarters,” said one of those detained by police." Police are abusing journalists first amendment rights, and violating search laws according to the Twin Cities Daily Planet. Three New... more -
7yr Old Boy Still on Terrorist Watch List. "I don't understand why I am ...
Is this the face of a terrorist? John Anderson's family was taking a trip to Disney World in 2004 when they were stopped by security at Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport.
The airlines thought John, who goes by Jack, was on a terror watch list.
Agents were dumbfounded when they looked over the counter to see the suspected terrorist -- a 2-year-old St. Paul toddler dozing in his stroller with a pacifier hanging from his mouth.
Two years later, the family was stopped by airport security again, owing to Jack's common name. The Andersons have since given up flying, waiting for federal authorities to fix a database that has ensnared more than 30,000 Americans.
Prompted by cases such as Jack's, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., is announcing legislation today to minimize airport delays and correct other problems caused by the watch list.
After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the FBI created a consolidated watch list to help identify potential terrorists. The list contains more than 1 million records on 400,000 individuals and is often used at airports and borders.
A Government Accountability Office report said the watch list "enhanced U.S. counter terrorism efforts."
October's report said the list created "the opportunity to collect and share information on known or appropriately suspected terrorists with law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community."
Klobuchar acknowledged that it's important to have a watch list to help gather information. "I am not opposed to it, but we need to use the technology available to reduce the number of misidentifications."
The list has received criticisms from groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union as innocent people go through increased scrutiny because their name resembles another on the list.
Not every John Anderson, Jim Smith or Susan Jones has problems. Passengers are stopped because of some combination of factors. . .
. . . Two years later, during another flight check-in at the Twin Cities airport, the Andersons hit another snag. They were once again allowed to fly, but the security checks frightened Jack as airport officials stared at him in disbelief.
"After that trip, he expressed the fact that he didn't want to fly anymore," Christine Anderson said. "He just kept asking me, 'Why am I on the terrorist watch list? I don't understand why I am a terrorist.'"
(Go to link for the full article) Is this the face of a terrorist? John Anderson's family was taking a trip to Disney World in 2004 when they were stopped by secur... more
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