At RNC, Arraignments Begin And Arrests Continue (9/4/2008)
RNC Security Worker Among Those Arrested
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: media@aclu.org
ST. PAUL - Hundreds of people arrested during a crackdown on free speech in
the first days of the Republican National Convention (RNC) were arraigned
yesterday. The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota assembled teams of
attorneys to offer legal services at the proceedings.
"There have been hundreds of arrests, and we expect hundreds more, but the
number of arrested is not nearly matched by the number of crimes committed. Most
of these people are being picked up for doing nothing other than exercising
their right to be out in public," said Chuck Samuelson, Executive Director of
the ACLU of Minnesota.
Most of the people arraigned yesterday were charged with misdemeanor, gross
misdemeanor and felony charges even though they were swept up in mass arrests
while exercising their constitutional rights to free speech and peaceable
assembly. Among those arrested were a RNC security worker on his way to work and
several journalists attempting to cover the protests outside the convention.
Dozens more were arrested yesterday while watching a Rage Against The Machine
concert.
Attorneys have objected that bail for those arrested at the RNC is being set
unreasonably high - in some cases as much as $2,000. They have also expressed
concern about the atmosphere at the law enforcement center where those arrested
are being detained. The building is surrounded by eight foot high chain link
fence and patrolled by National Guard troops. There are also several teams of
police officers in riot gear. Nobody is allowed to enter the complex without ID,
and only attorneys are allowed to carry any bags into the building.
"The police presence is scary. The Law Enforcement Center – the jail – looks
like something you would find in Baghdad, not in St. Paul," said Samuelson.
The national ACLU has called for an investigation into any civil liberties
violations at the RNC. That statement is available online at: www.aclu.org/freespeech/protest/36636prs20080904.html
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