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The charges against the journalists — Evan Engel, Alexander Rubinstein, Jack Keller, Matthew Hopard, Shay Horse and Aaron Cantu — have been denounced by organizations dedicated to press freedom. All of those arrested have denied participating in the violence.
The journalists in question are being arrested for being around the violent parts of the protests—a guilt by proximity.
You can watch the violence in the protest here. Note that in these protest clips there are a handful of of people doing violent things at certain points and then everybody else is just protesting the way you would imagine normal Americans would. The very end of the clip shows a view of the big bashing of a Bank of America set of windows and a Starbucks—all on the same street, at the bottom of the same building. If you look closely you can see people covering this, with cameras and the like. Those people are under no legal obligation to step in the way of idiots with rocks and pipes to stop them from beating up buildings. You want to use their footage to help identify “rioters,” that’s one thing. You want to make it illegal to show what’s happening in the streets, that’s fascism.
§ 22–1322. Rioting or inciting to riot. (a) A riot in the District of Columbia is a public disturbance involving an assemblage of 5 or more persons which by tumultuous and violent conduct or the threat thereof creates grave danger of damage or injury to property or persons.
(b) Whoever willfully engages in a riot in the District of Columbia shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 180 days or a fine of not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01, or both.
(c) Whoever willfully incites or urges other persons to engage in a riot shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 180 days or a fine of not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01, or both.
(d) If in the course and as a result of a riot a person suffers serious bodily harm or there is property damage in excess of $5,000, every person who willfully incited or urged others to engage in the riot shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01, or both.
Mr. Engel, a Brooklyn-based journalist who writes for Vocativ, a media and technology outlet, was among those charged with felony rioting and released. He said by email on Wednesday that he was unable to comment on the case since it was active, but that he was looking forward to the day he could say more.
These are definitely times that should not be happening. But, many were warned.
“basically identified a location that had problems and arrested everyone in that location.”
originally posted by: xuenchen
If it is shown that these people were not directly involved, they will be released and charges dropped.
Police on a scene like that can't be responsible for making decisions about who's who.
originally posted by: pheonix358
a reply to: reldra
You do not know why they were charged, you are assuming you know.
Why not wait for the evidence!
If there is none ... then they will walk out of the court and be in a lovely position to sue the state.
There may be more to it than what you know.
Oh and
These are definitely times that should not be happening. But, many were warned.
you just can't resist the dig, can you.
P
originally posted by: Mandroid7
Let me de-liberalize this article from NYT.
Here's the important part...
“basically identified a location that had problems and arrested everyone in that location.”
It's not some attack on the press.
I would be surprised if they didn't run into the crowd, just to play victim.
Just about on par with these wackadoos.
originally posted by: Tardacus
They`ll have their day in court, if there isn`t enough evidence to convict them they`ll go free.
They may not even have to go to court if the charges are dropped.
In big riots like the one in D.C. the police often scoop up everyone in the area and let the states attorney decide who to prosecute and who to release.
I`m sure they aren`t the first journalist to ever be arrested at a riot.
originally posted by: reldra
originally posted by: xuenchen
If it is shown that these people were not directly involved, they will be released and charges dropped.
Police on a scene like that can't be responsible for making decisions about who's who.
Will? They can't be responsible for recognizing people standing with cameras? Some with sound crews? Please.
If I tell you, that, for example, tomorrow it will rain heavily when you walk out of your door, whatever time it is you normally leave and you should take an umbrella.
You fail to take the umbrella and you become completely soaked, I may say, "I told you to take an umbrella." It is not a dig. It is a fact.
At least 26 journalists have been arrested since Sep. 24,
originally posted by: xuenchen
originally posted by: reldra
originally posted by: xuenchen
If it is shown that these people were not directly involved, they will be released and charges dropped.
Police on a scene like that can't be responsible for making decisions about who's who.
Will? They can't be responsible for recognizing people standing with cameras? Some with sound crews? Please.
You know 100% for sure these people were not involved ?
No way you can know that.
originally posted by: Tardacus
a reply to: reldra
At least 26 journalists have been arrested since Sep. 24,
www.dailydot.com...
that was at occupy wall street in 2011, that was under obamas watch.