Journalist Amy Goodman, 2 producers sue over arrests at 2008 GOP convention in Minnesota

Journalists sue over 2008 GOP convention arrests

MINNEAPOLIS — Syndicated journalist Amy Goodman and two of her producers are suing St. Paul and Minneapolis over their arrests while covering protests at the 2008 Republican National Convention.

Goodman and the producers of her radio and TV news show “Democracy Now!” were among 40 to 50 journalists arrested at the St. Paul convention, along with about 800 demonstrators and bystanders.

The lawsuit being filed Wednesday in federal court in Minnesota alleges that authorities violated First Amendment freedoms by interfering with Goodman and other journalists’ right to gather news.

They’re seeking court orders to prevent similar actions in the future, plus unspecified monetary damages.

St. Paul’s interim city attorney, Gerald Hendrickson, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

On the Net:

Democracy Now! website: www.democracynow.org

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Syndicated journalist Amy Goodman and two of her producers are suing St. Paul, Minneapolis over their arrests while covering protests at the 2008 Republican National Convention.

Goodman and the producers of her radio and TV news show “Democracy Now!” were among 40 to 50 journalists arrested at the St. Paul convention, along with about 800 demonstrators and bystanders.

The lawsuit being filed Wednesday in federal court in Minnesota alleges that authorities violated First Amendment freedoms by interfering with Goodman and other journalists’ right to gather news.

They’re seeking court orders to prevent similar actions in the future, plus unspecified monetary damages.

St. Paul’s interim city attorney, Gerald Hendrickson, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

On the Net:

Democracy Now! website: www.democracynow.org