The Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper reported on 19 September that the St. Paul authorities will not after all prosecute the journalists who were picked up in the course of the mass arrests that took place in St. Paul, Minnesota, on 1 September during the Republic Party convention (see 2 September release).
The newspaper quotes St. Paul mayor Chris Coleman as saying the city authorities have decided not to prosecute journalists charged with misdemeanour offences and that they will use a "very broad" definition of who, among the approximately 800 people arrested, is a journalist.
Among those who will not be prosecuted are Amy Goodman, the host of Democracy Now!, and two of her reporters and producers, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar, who were charged with unlawful assembly, obstructing the legal process and incitement to riot . They were also the victims of police violence.
Reporters Without Borders welcomes the outcome, and hopes a similar decision is taken with ABC News producer Asa Eslocker, who was arrested and charged with trespassing, interference, and refusing to obey a lawful order during the Democratic Party convention in Denver on 27 August (see 29 August release). He is due to appear in court on 25 September.
Charges will not be pressed against journalists arrested during Republican convention |