Reporters group seeks probe into arrests

ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Reporters Without Borders is calling for charges to be dropped against three journalists arrested during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.

The press freedom organization in a news release Tuesday also called for an investigation into the arrests of Amy Goodman, the host of the nationally syndicated radio and TV program Democracy Now!, and two of her producers, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar.

"The violence used by the police when arresting these three journalists, who identified themselves as such, was an unacceptable abuse of authority, a violence of the First Amendment and a clear demonstration of a desire to intimidate them and their news organization," Reporters Without Borders said.

Although released, Goodman was charged with obstructing a legal process and interfering with a police officer, and the two producers were charged with felony riot.

St. Paul police arrested 284 people Monday in reported incidents of violence and road obstruction by a few demonstrators in what the Star Tribune newspaper in Minneapolis said was an otherwise peaceful crowd estimated at 10,000.

An Associated Press photographer also was arrested during Monday's demonstrations.