NPR: Protests, Charges Mount As RNC Continues

Protests, Charges Mount As RNC Continues

McCain and Palin family Minnesota meet and greet

St. Paul, MN: Police tear gas protesters in the streets outside the Republican National Convention at the Xcel Energy Center September 2, 2008.

Max Whittaker/Getty Images

We previously noted that protesters and journalists have been arrested during the RNC and that many protesters were facing felony charges.

Today St. Paul-based Minnesota Public Radio reports that police have slapped another 8 anarchists with terrorism-related felony charges. Their attorney calls the charges "an abuse of the criminal justice system."

Tear gas has been a key ingredient outside of the RNC. MPR is on top of what is happening in the streets and what the top brass have to say about it. Check out these 360 photos of a protest as it meandered through the streets of St Paul. That protest is one of many which have resulted in the arrest of hundreds of protesters. Ramsey County Court is working overtime to process the defendants.

And what ever happened to the designated free speech zone? Here's a profile of one person that isn't afraid to speak out in the designated protest space; a "deserted, half-block long closed city street."

-- Michael Olson

11:59 PM ET | 09- 3-2008 | permalink

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"reports that police have slapped another 8 anarchists with terrorism-related felony charges."

A little premature to judge them anarchists?

Sent by Michael Butler | 2:11 PM ET | 09-04-2008

Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now!, was among the many journalists arrested. Goodman was only attempting to find out why two of her producers were arrested for attempting to film the protests.Even though she had her credentials and attempted to explain her mission, she was handcuffed and taken away. Sadly, there has been only minimal coverage by the MSM. How can we profess to be a Democracy when journalists are arrested for asking questions? But perhaps the more important question: how can the major media outlets ignore what is happening? Are they too lazy or just too controlled to investigate?

Sent by Georgia | 4:36 PM ET | 09-04-2008

Michael: some of them are self-described anarchists.

Of course, I've always said that the people who should be busting the heads of the rock-throwers and anarchists should be the real demonstrators, not the cops. When you go to a peaceful rally and some jerk starts to ruin it by throwing rocks, get five friends, grab him, and sit on him. Do it BEFORE the cops get involved, and BEFORE the TV news crews arrive to get the only footage they care about: violence.

Sent by Kasreyn | 4:58 PM ET | 09-04-2008

Isn't the police state wonderful?

Sent by Jonathon Plimpton | 9:43 PM ET | 09-04-2008

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