Breaking: Judge Rejects "Riot" Charges Against Amy Goodman in North Dakota

[Equinox Moon]

Source: Democracy NOW!

WEB EXCLUSIVE - October 17, 2016

A North Dakota judge today refused to authorize riot charges against award-winning journalist Amy Goodman for her reporting on an attack against Native American-led anti-pipeline protesters.

“This is a complete vindication of my right as a journalist to cover the attack on the protesters, and of the public’s right to know what is happening with the Dakota Access pipeline,” said Goodman. "We will continue to report on this epic struggle of Native Americans and their non-Native allies taking on the fossil fuel industry and an increasingly militarized police in this time when climate change threatens the planet."

Read more: http://www.democracynow.org/2016/10/17/breaking_riot_charges_against_amy_goodman

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Fantastic News!

[MADem]

1. The charge was a bridge too far. The judge realized that. nt

[DK504]

13. sometimes justice prevails

Throw in some abuse of power with refusal to accept the 1st Amendment makes for fascism. Nice to see the judge slap the moron cops down.

Can he stop the dog attacks on protestors?

[Gothmog]

2. This is great news

[still_one]

3. That was exactly my prediction a few days ago

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=1598751

The idiot prosecutor who brought this up should be suspended

[underpants]

4. Love her show

[ananda]

5. Good!

She's the best journalist out there!

[bananas]

6. Blatant civil rights violations by Mike Pence, Indiana Governor and Trump's VP

The State's Attorney didn't do this on his own.
Mike Pence should be sent to a federal penitentiary, not to the Vice Presidency.

[christx30]

7. Yes, all of that riotous behavior of

holding a microphone and asking questions. And the typing. Oh, God, the typing.

[Sunlei]

8. police do that to everyone, slap false charges on them to waste their time & money.

[Montauk6]

9. REAL Journalism wins out

[LiberalLovinLug]

10. Were there other "regular" people also vindicated of charges?

Just wondering. Were there others that were charged for "rioting" just for being there? Those that do not have a high public profile, and are not a part of a well known news show that could embarrass the corporate industrial complex?

[Fahrenthold451]

11. Scary statute here, take a look

I'll be willing to bet that your state has a ridiculous statute like the ND riot statute. Look at it.

12.1-25-01. Inciting riot.
1. A person is guilty of an offense if he:
a. Incites or urges five or more persons to create or engage in a riot; or
b. Gives commands, instructions, or directions to five or more persons in
furtherance of a riot.
2. "Riot" means a public disturbance involving an assemblage of five or more persons
which by tumultuous and violent conduct creates grave danger of damage or injury to
property or persons or substantially obstructs law enforcement or other government
function.

Take a look at that substantially obstructs a government function. What the hell does that mean anyway? It means the government has a lot of power to arrest journalists.

[Equinox Moon]

15. Remember when people said trump should be charged with this?

If you are new to DU, welcome.

[Divine Discontent]

17. yeah, "we can detain you for anything we want" deal. welcome to DU!

[neeksgeek]

12. File Under "Sudden Outbreak of Common Sense"

Great news!

[Equinox Moon]

20. Yes!

[niyad]

14. k and r

[Divine Discontent]

16. Dumdum Donnie would have already had her locked up, under his regime

- - - Republicans aren't sending their best. They're sending criminals. They're sending rapists - - -

[friendly_iconoclast]

18. Good. Sometimes, justice happens

[Achilleaze]

19. This was the only possible honest and fair ruling

To have ruled otherwise would have been a blatant display of anti-democracy.

[Equinox Moon]

21. Indeed, plus, it was the state's attorney that charged her!

[Warpy]

22. Well, we knew they'd never stick

but kudos to the judge for dissolving the adhesive so quickly.

[wordpix]

23. Yeah, carry on Amy!

Keep doing your thing