CHIRP: Chicago Independent Radio Project

Posted by Jenny L. on September 2, 2008 around 4pm

Amy Goodman, legendary independent journalist and host of the “Democracy Now” radio program, was arrested in St. Paul Monday. Two of her producers, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar, were covering a protest outside the convention center when they became entangled in a skirmish between police and protesters. Goodman was on the convention floor when she heard they were arrested, and rushed down to speak with police, when she was arrested.

According to Democracy Now’s website, “all three were violently manhandled by law enforcement officers. Abdel Kouddous was slammed against a wall and the ground, leaving his arms scraped and bloodied. He sustained other injuries to his chest and back. Salazar’s violent arrest by baton-wielding officers, during which she was slammed to the ground while yelling, “I’m Press! Press!,” resulted in her nose bleeding, as well as causing facial pain. Goodman’s arm was violently yanked by police as she was arrested. Kouddous and Salazar face pending charges of suspicion of felony riot, while Goodman has been officially charged with obstruction of a legal process and interference with a “peace officer.””

CREDO Action is mobilizing supporters of independent media to ask the major news networks to cover this arrest. You can learn more about their campaign here.