Minneapolis council members call for investigation of RNC police

[proud2BlibKansan]

By Chris Steller , Minnesota Independent
September 05, 2008

Minneapolis City Council Members Gary Schiff and Cam Gordon issued a
call this afternoon for an independent investigation of police actions
during the Republican National Convention (RNC). Read their full
statement below the jump.

Today's call follows two earlier statements on RNC policing statements
from city council corridors in Minneapolis and St. Paul. On Tuesday,
Gordon and City Council Member Elizabeth Glidden decried police
intimidation that chills free speech and called on authorities to
provide a safe space for political expression. (Gordon also blogged on
the topic that day, emphasizing press freedoms, as he did after last
week's raids.)

On Wednesday, the St. Paul City Council said in a one-page statement
that charges of law enforcement overreaction had been taken out of
context, but also promised that "all of this week's actions will be
thoroughly reviewed."

Here is Gordon and Schiff's statement.

9-5-08

Minneapolis Council Members Cam Gordon and Gary Schiff Call for
Independent Investigation of RNC-Related Law Enforcement Actions

Throughout the Republican National Convention we have seen and
heard a number of disturbing reports of actions taken by law
enforcement, including the Minneapolis Police Department personnel,
against journalists, observers, medics, bystanders, people engaged in
peaceful protest and others.

We have also heard stories of patience and flexibility on the part
of many law enforcement personnel. We thank and commend law enforcement
for the service they provide and the many instances in the past few days
where police as well as protesters have shown restraint and the ability
to engage in healthy civic protest without incident.

Now that the convention is over, we join others calling for an
independent, blue ribbon panel to conduct a thorough investigation into
the events, decisions and policies surrounding security issues and the
RNC, hold hearings and make recommendations for future policy changes.

The recent reports of law enforcement targeting observers and
reporters, engaging in preemptive raids and questionable uses of force
show a troubling pattern that is not consistent with our hopes for
showing the world how our Cities respect the right to civic debate and
are committed to preserving free speech during the 2008 Republican
National Convention.

We believe that the health of our democracy depends the
ability of a free press to function and understand how our government's
actions encouraged or discouraged people to participate in political
speech. While violence and property damage by protesters or others
should not be tolerated we also know that safety should not be used
an excuse to limit a free press or stifle free speech.


http://tcdailyplanet.net/article/2008/09/05/minneapolis-council-members-call-investigation-rnc-police.html

[seemslikeadream]

1. excellent

were there any Homeland Security there?

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Homeland Security gave $50 million to both Denver and St Paul

to fight the protesters during the conventions.

[MadMaddie]

11. And Denver and the state of CO should be given the highest

praise for the planning and effort that went into the Dem Convention.

St. Paul city leadership and police leadership failed miserably.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. Sure looks that way

[Cerridwen]

2. K & R. n/t

[libodem]

3. Were there any Blackwater goons there

lurking under riot gear and face shields?

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Of course there were

[tazkcmo]

4. It's supposed to be every where

called on authorities to
provide a safe space for political expression

Even when politicians stand up for free speech they do it sitting down.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. Freedom of the Press: 60,000 Letters Delivered

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e4L4mCj8DA&feature=email

[Canuckistanian]

8. If Fascist cops took over MY town, I'd demand an investigation

It looking more and more as if Minneapolis city council didn't have a thing to do with this crackdown.

So the question is, was the mayor pressured? Or did he even know about it?

And what was the role of Homeland Security?

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. St Paul, not Minneapolis

Homeland Security gave $50 million to St Paul to help 'control' the protesters. :)

[Canuckistanian]

14. I originally wrote St. Paul

I thought they were connected anyways.

I stand corrected.

[MadMaddie]

13. Apparantly the Police Chief is a jackbooted thugh!

[Raksha]

9. K & R

[Festivito]

15. They're looking pretty stoooopid.

The timing of this letter is looking a little stoooopid too.