On Monday, September 1, more than 280 people were arrested in St. Paul, Minnesota, the opening day of the Republican National Convention. Among them were several journalists covering the protests in the streets, including Amy Goodman of "Democracy Now!" Goodman will talk about her arrest, the financial crisis on Wall Street, the war in Iraq, and the run for the White House when she speaks at 7:30 p.m. on November 21 at The Smith Opera House, 82 Seneca St.
At the Republican National Convention, "Democracy Now!" producers, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar had been reporting on the protest of the convention that was the unfolding several blocks away. Most of the estimated 10,000 people in the march were peaceful. But, according to police, a group of about 200 had fractured off and were breaking windows, slashing tires and harassing delegates. News gathering is a constitutionally protected activity in the United States. And though Kouddous, Salazar and Goodman were wearing credentials that identified them as members of the press, they were arrested. Salazar suffered a bloody nose after being dragged, face- down on the ground, according to a statement released by "Democracy Now!." Goodman was arrested after she left the convention floor and went to the demonstration looking for her show’s producers. All the charges were later dropped.
"Democracy Now!" is a national, daily, independent, award-winning news program hosted by journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. Pioneering the largest public media collaboration in the U.S., "Democracy Now!" is broadcast on Pacifica, NPR, community, and college radio stations; on public access, PBS, and satellite television.
Goodman's appearance at The Smith is sponsored by WEOS. Visit www.weos.org for more information.