Cops' war on free speech hits home | Philly

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Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Cops' war on free speech hits home

Keeping America safe from the evil Associated Press:

If police and protesters skirmish around the Republican National Convention, count on Philadelphia Associated Press photographer Matt Rourke to be in the middle of the action.

He was rewarded for his efforts Monday by being doused with pepper spray, knocked down and arrested by St. Paul police.

Rourke was shooting photos of the protesters at a parking lot at 7th and Jackson streets, in downtown St. Paul, when police converged from three directions on protesters that they regarded as particularly troublesome.

"We were encircled, and as I moved toward the officers in front of me in a passive manner, my legs were taken out from behind in an aggressive manner," Rourke said yesterday after 12 hours in jail.

That's why we all need to condemn this unnecessary abuse of power by the police in St. Paul -- there's no excuse for confusing a newsman doing his job with actual lawbreakers. If it could happen to a regular Philly guy like Matt Rourke, it could happen to you.

Posted by Will Bunch @ 7:45 AM Permalink | 88 comments

Comments

Posted 08:18 AM, 09/03/2008

Marchus

It happened in Philadelphia during the RNC - with tacit and overt endorsement of the Philadelphia police.

Posted 08:38 AM, 09/03/2008

Paul B

I say let the anarchists run wild & burn down the whole place down.

Comment removed.

Posted 09:13 AM, 09/03/2008

longshanks

Typical for a fascist convention. Don't allow anyone to exercise their right to free speech. That doesn't exist in a Republican world. They'd rather send out their stormtroopers to maim and injure people. Great way to treat American citizens. A big thanks to the Republicans for turning progress back several decades. What's next for the Republicans are they going to separate men/women again? whites/blacks? Enough of the bigotry and hatred from the right, Vote Obama/Biden '08!

Comment removed.

Posted 09:16 AM, 09/03/2008

ILikeIke

OMG, it could happen to me, too? Really? Gosh. . . . I better rethink the act of political violence I was going to organize after work today. Give me a break. There is such a large gulf between the constitutionally protected actions of peaceful protestors and the actions of these loser, wanna-be anarchists. They have no legitimate political message besides a desire to create havoc and destroy public and private property. As usual, the view is great from the cheap seats. Wil, if you were the chief of police in Minne/St. Paul, how would you handle the situation? Would you prefer that these spoiled brats be allowed to run wild in the streets? Would you allow them to disrupt the proceedings of the convention and possibly endanger some of the participants? Do you really think that these actions are random and not based on any legtimate security concerns? I'd love to know. A "regular" Philly guy was pepper sprayed and arrested because he willingly associated himself with a group looking to start trouble. Lie down with dogs, get fleas. He'll probably win a Pulitzer and Nobel Peace Prize . . . once the burning feeling subsides.

Comment removed.

Posted 09:25 AM, 09/03/2008

Feeling slanderous, today b.atk? Glad to see you've calmed down a little. Try to steer away from your facutally challenged temper tantrums.

Comment removed.

Posted 09:32 AM, 09/03/2008

PhilaRocks

Why am I not surprised Will would in essence defend the rights of these vermin to destroy anything and anyone they want? If they were in his neighborhood, he'd be under his desk crying for the police and soiling himself. The photographer took a risk, as did the reporter last week in Denver who tried to interview some of the protesters.

Posted 09:38 AM, 09/03/2008

And PhilaRocks shows off their reading comprehension skills.

88 comments | View All Comments | View All By Latest

About Will Bunch

Will's book: Learn about it here and purchase it here.

Will Bunch, a senior writer at the Philadelphia Daily News, blogs about his obsessions, including national and local politics and world affairs, the media, pop music, the Philadelphia Phillies, soccer and other sports, not necessarily in that order.

E-mail Will by clicking here.

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