|
Comment on this article |
Email this Article
|
|
News :: Civil & Human Rights |
|
DC Journalists Respond To Police Repression Of Freedom Of Press. |
Current rating: 0 |
by Sascha
Email: sascha (nospam) ucimc.org (unverified!) |
01 Oct 2002
|
|
News Advisory: Press Conference on Denial of Rights Held Monday. DC IMC journalists arrested along with mainstream media reporters. Press credentials were removed from one reporter -- events were captured on video. Contacts for interviews available. |
Police Repression of Journalists and Activists
by Zoe Mitchell 9:30pm Sun Sep 29 '02 (Modified on 11:17am Tue Oct 1 '02)
phone: 202-253-2990 zoe (at) adam4shadow.com
News Advisory: Press Conference on Denial of Rights to be Held Monday
WASHINGTON, DC--During the World Bank and International Monetary Fund protests this weekend, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), in addition to other local and federal law enforcement agencies, used repressive tactics to prevent activists from exercising their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. Additionally, the MPD targeted specific DC Independent Media Center (DC IMC) journalists--arresting and incarcerating them--in violation of freedom of the press. In response, the DC IMC will be holding a press conference Monday, September 30, 2002 at 11am to explore how police tactics forcibly prevented the anti-corporate globalization protesters' message from reaching the public.
Two DC IMC journalists, Robin Bell and Matthew Bradley, were arrested while trying to cover Friday's actions. Video evidence proves that the police blatantly targeted them for arrest.
"I was specifically targeted by police officers for attempting to capture the unfolding events on video. When the police set up the parameter, I immediately identified myself as a journalist and attempted to join other journalists across police lines," Bell, a videographer with MPD press credentials, said. Bell's request was denied. Furthermore, Police Chief Charles Ramsey authorized the removal of Bell's media credentials by Public Information Officer Bryson during Bell's arrest.
Other speakers, including Anti-Capitalist Convergence organizers Clarissa Peterson and Andrew Willis, will discuss how police tactics prevented them from protesting the policies of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund and corporate greed. Similarly, Starhawk and Lisa Fithian will talk about how the Pagan Cluster event was curtailed by police. Finally, Albeiro Martinez, from Colombia, will discuss international police repression of anti-corporate globalization activists.
WHO: Robin Bell, DC IMC; Matthew Bradley, DC IMC; Starhawk, Pagan Cluster; Lisa Fithian, Radical Action Network of Trainers; Albeiro Martinez, Labor Union Activist from Colombia (Spanish to English translation by IMC Mexico reporter Andrew Kennis); Clarissa Peterson, Anti-Capitalist Convergence; Andrew Willis, Anti-Capitalist Convergence
WHAT: Press Conference on Police Repression of Activists and Journalists
WHEN: Monday, September 30, 2002 at 11am
WHERE: DC Independent Media Center Headquarters, 2412 18th St. NW
Over 650 people were arrested in the People's Strike on Friday, September 27 and the World Bank and IMF Quarantine on Saturday, September 28. Most activists and journalists were arrested when police surrounded Pershing Park and Freedom Plaza Friday morning, preventing people from leaving the area.
For more information please call, Zoe Mitchell at 202-253-2990.
### |
