SIGN PETITION FOR FREE SPEECH: Police in St. Paul arrested journalists at Republican Convention! BE A HERO: Stand Up for Independent Journalism!

Police in St. Paul have arrested several journalists.
Stand Up for Independent Journalism

Police are targeting independent journalists and bloggers covering the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. They have already arrested dozens, including Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman and video bloggers from I-Witness.

The police are cracking down against a new breed of journalists -- citizens equipped with cell phones and video cameras -- who are covering protests outside the convention.

40,000 people have already signed our public letter demanding that this press intimidation cease immediately and that all charges be dropped. We need you to sign the letter as well. It will be delivered tomorrow to St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, and the local prosecuting attorneys.

We need to reach 50,000 signatures in the next 24 hours, so please take action now:
Sign the Letter: Drop All Charges Against Journalists

In addition to these arrests, police with firearms drawn have twice raided a meeting of the video journalists' group I-Witness and arrested independent media, bloggers and videomakers. We’re also receiving late-breaking reports of new arrests.

By signing this letter, you're sending a powerful message: Officials must rein in aggressive and violent tactics by local law enforcement, stop the targeting of journalists and immediately drop all charges against them.

Reporting by independent journalists is vital to a functioning democracy. Americans must have access to diverse sources of information to hold their leaders accountable. Journalists, whether reporting for mainstream media or online alternatives, must be free to do their jobs without intimidation.

Please Take Action by Signing this Letter

Don’t wait. We need a free press now more than ever. Tell your friends and take action now!

Thank you,
Timothy Karr, Campaign Director
Free Press
http://free.convio.net/site/R?i=lqeqM_Tq7dVsmRb_ZB6__Q..

1. Read my report on St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman's failure to protect journalists.

2. Watch the video of arrests as reported by the The UpTake.

3. Watch the video of the police raid of I-Witness.

4. Learn more about the arrest of an ABC News producer during the Democratic Convention in Denver.