DEMOCRACY NOW! ACTION ALERT

=== DROP THE CHARGES - DEMOCRACY NOW!

ACTION ALERT - FORWARD WIDELY ===

On the web: http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2008/9/3/call_to_action

*Call to Action on Behalf of DN! Journalists Facing Charges for Reporting on the Republican National Convention*

Today it is critical that you make your voice heard in the Ramsey County Attorney and St. Paul City Attorney offices. Demand that they drop all pending and current charges against journalists arrested while reporting on protests outside the Republican National Conventions.

The Ramsey County Attorney’s office is in the process of deciding whether or not to press felony P.C. (probable cause) riot charges against Democracy Now! Producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. Please contact Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner by all means possible to demand that her office not press charges against Kouddous and Salazar.

Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner

RCA@co.ramsey.mn.us (cc: dropthecharges@democracynow.org) 651-266-3222

Susan Gaertner for Governor

info@susangaertner.com (cc: dropthecharges@democracynow.org) (612) 978-8625 (612) 804-6156

The St. Paul City Attorney's office has already charged Amy Goodman with misdemeanor obstruction of a legal process and interference with a peace officer. Contact St. Paul City Attorney John Choi by all means possible to demand that the charges against Goodman be dropped immediately.

St. Paul City Attorney John Choi

john.choi@ci.stpaul.mn.us (cc: dropthecharges@democracynow.org) (651) 266-8710

Goodman was arrested while questioning police about the unlawful detention of Kouddous and Salazar, who were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention.

During the demonstration in which the Democracy Now! team was arrested, law enforcement officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion grenades and excessive force against protesters and journalists. Several dozen demonstrators were also arrested during this action, as was a photographer for the Associated Press.

*IMPORTANT*

Be sure to cc: dropthecharges@democracynow.org on all emails so that our team can deliver print outs of your messages to the St. Paul City Attorney and Ramsey County Attorney offices.

*RELATED*

Amy Goodman Arrest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ

Nicole Salazar Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jreRSEQ_yg

Media coverage of RNC arrests: http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2008/9/3/media

Free Press campaign: http://www.freepress.net/