from Utne:
While reporting from a protest at the Republican National Convention, Utne Reader intern Chelsey Perkins captured footage of police launching gas canisters at protesters and chasing them down the banks of the Mississippi river in St. Paul. You can view videos of that below.
Having seen protesters and police clash in the distance, Perkins asked an officer how to get away from the conflict zone. She was directed toward a river walk with a large group of people including both protesters and bystanders. The police followed closely behind, until multiple groups of officers on bikes, horses, and on foot surrounded and detained everyone in the area.
Once surrounded, Perkins was told to get on the ground with her hands on her head. Some of the people were placed in plastic cuffs, and a large bullhorn announced that everyone in the area was under arrest. Members of the media were eventually told to leave, because the area was deemed a “crime scene.” Perkins tried to explain that she was a member of the media, but without credentials, she was unable to leave.
After some 45 minutes of being detained, Perkins was told that she was no longer under suspicion and could leave if she wanted. When she agreed, she was surrounded by a group of police who escorted her away from the area.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 at 3:38 am and is filed under bush administration, civil liberties, john mccain, minneapolis-st. paul, police brutality, police misconduct, police raids, protest, Ramsey County Sheriff Fletcher, Ramsey County Sheriff's office, republican national convention, rnc. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.