ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – When the Republican National Convention came to St. Paul last fall thousands of protesters descended on the capitol city as well. Now a commission, hired by the City, is releasing its findings of how law enforcement handled the RNC. In its 82 page report, the commission found that while the City hoped for an open and welcoming convention that promoted free speech, some actions by police during those four days in September contradicted the city's vision.
The commission pointed to the use of pepper spray on non -violent protesters, badge numbers covered up by riot gear and the arrests of journalists covering the convention as major issues that demand further review.
The report says there was a real threat from anarchists trying to shut down the convention by damaging city property and people.
The commission says video of anarchists dropping sandbags from the Marion Street Bridge onto delegate buses below as the scariest moment of the convention.
Finally, while the vast majority of protesters were peaceful, the commission says their message was drowned out by the media attention to the violence surrounding the clashes between anarchists and police and that may be the biggest tragedy of all.
Commission Board Releases Police Tactics Towards Protesters During RNC |