September 24, 2008 - Saint Paul, Minnesota
Tonight at the Saint Paul City Hall a public hearing took place as part of an effort to gather stories from people effected by the Republican National Convention. The hearing took place primarily because of the efforts of Councilman Dave Thune who has continously pressed for an investigation into the events surrounding the RNC, including Police conduct.
Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman had taken a vacation and was not present. As a matter of record, only four Councilmembers were present, Dave Thune, Lee Helgen, Russ Stark and Melvin Carter. There were members of the Mayor's office in attendance as well as a representative of the Saint Paul Police.
People from business, media and the public all had an opportunity to speak. Speakers from the business community including Sara Ramke, owner of the Black Dog Cafe, said that business was pretty much the same before, during and after the convention.
Media representatives spoke about the suppression of media during the convention and the arrests of over forty journalists including Amy Goodman and others. Andy Driscoll of KFAI Radio drew loud applause when he said "This Council must hold a series of hearings into the breach of Constitutional guarentees." He urged them to act now.
Sara Coffey spoke about the Police raids on their propety in Saint Paul and the conduct of Police in raiding her home. She had video of Officers detaining her without cause. She was handcuffed and held without charge for hours while her home was searched by Police.
Public speakers included Cheri Honkala from the Poor Peoples Economic Rights Campaign who spoke passionately about her experiences which included survailence, visits by the Justice Department months before the RNC and the March itself which ended in Police using rubber bullets, tear gas and pepper spray on Demonstrators that included Children.
Leah Lane, whose now infamous video of Police brutality, spoke about her experiences at the hands of Police at the end of the evening on the fourth day of the RNC.
http://radiofreenation.blogspot.com/2008/08/whats-wrong-with-freedom-in-america.html
Colleen Rowley, former FBI Agent, whistleblower and Senate Candidate spoke about her thoughts on the RNC and the Picnic for Peace which she organized and participated in. She was outraged by the overwhelming Police presence and intimidation.
More than thirty speakers took the mic tonight with stories about Police intimidation, violence and in the case of Elliot Hughes, allegations of torture. Councilman Dave Thune promised additional public meetings, but no promises of police or government accountability were made.
2 comments:
I had to work late and couldn't attend.
Pity, because I've got footage of Dan Dobson, the scruffy, unshaven guy that identified himself as a NLG legal observer, offering to commit a felony.
I didn't realize who he was at the time, but since have found out that Dobson was disbarred in '93 for an act that was not specified on the Bar's website.
I was glad to hear the Thune plans to hold another one of these dog and pony shows, and hope to be able to attend.
Although I have a difference of opinion with you regarding the RNC, I've listened to several of your blogcasts Martin, and have enjoyed them.
Hey Thank you for the comments Tom. Much appreciated. I hope you call in sometime or maybe even Guest on a show :-)
I think it would be fun to get your take on some current events around Politics.
We can debate the RNC sometime if your game, but after being there for 10 hours a day all four days I saw some things that surprised me and even shocked me...most involving POLICE actions against peaceful American's excercising their Rights under the Consitution.
That said, I also saw some idiot criminals who were bent on creating havoc, but those numbers were far fewer.
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