ABC News Asks Denver Police To Drop Charges Against Reporter
Attorneys for the network say they are confident charges will be dropped.
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 8/28/2008 1:49:00 PM
ABC's lawyers have asked the Denver police to drop charges against ABC reporter Asa Eslocker and say they are confident that will happen.
Eslocker was arrested while trying to shoot video on a public sidewalk outside a Denver hotel, according to ABC. He was trying to talk to Democrats leaving a private meeting as part of new piece on corporate lobbyists and donors.
Eslocker was arrested and charged with "trespassing, failure to follow a lawful order, and interfereing with a police officer."
"Mr. Eslocker is innocent of all three crimes with which he’s been charged," said the lawyers in a statement. "He and his ABC News crew were standing on public sidewalks covering an event of public significance and performing a press function protected by the First Amendment.”
Adding “Frankly, we are outraged at the conduct of the individual officers. Their interactions with Mr. Eslocker are captured on tape. Mr. Eslocker was acting courteously and trying to determine where he and his news crew could stand on public sidewalks to report on an event involving some of this nation’s leaders – an event that the public has a right to know about."
ABC attorneys said the case was now being reviewed by the Denver City Attorney's Office. "We are confident that when that office has had the opportunity to review the evidence, including our video tapes, it will decide to dismiss all charges against Mr. Eslocker."
The American Civil Liberties Union joined the call for the charges to be dropped. "Arresting a reporter for simply doing his job is both unconstitutional and un-American," Anthony Romero, executive director of the ACLU, told ABC. "That free speech is curtailed during the Democratic National Convention underscores the need for continued protection of civil liberties, regardless of the party in power."
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Is there a causal link in these events?
Without reaching any further back than the NYPolice misbehavior toward the public in the Republican National Convention of 2004, the police actions have been very similar.
Are there "consultants" coming to cities facing large assemblies of diverse people? Are there "trainers" who put the police on an inappropriate edge of fear? And, who is it that tells local law enforcement they can ignore long established legal and enforcement precedents?
Of course, whoever is advising the local police is producing a chilling of reporting and civic action.
Without good investigative reporting and presentation, we should only expect more of the same.
Mel Jenkins - 9/3/2008 2:05:00 PM EDT -
I am hopeful that ABC will keep tabs on and report honestly on the same type of police intimidation of reporters taking place at the RNC as well.
In addition, ABC, AP and any major news outlet with any clout and ethics, needs to push for legal action. This should be against any officer or city official who ordered or took part in harassment of the press or of any citizen arrested for legally taking pictures or video in public areas.
If steps are not immediate and strong, our first amendment rights and a free press could be doomed.
Paul Kruger - 9/2/2008 3:47:00 PM EDT -
SYMPTOM of widespread constitutional abuses nationwide?
A network of extra-legal programs and policies turning America into a police state, where constitutional rights are ignored and citizens are covertly "targeted", physically harassed and intimidated? A "vigilante justice" network funded by multiple levels of government, endangering the rule of law? More here:
nowpublic.com/world/get-political-vic-livingston-opinion-expose-state-supported-vigilante-squads-doing-domestic-terrorism
nowpublic.com/world/zap-have-you-been-targeted-directed-energy-weapon-victims-organized-gang-stalking-say-its-happening-usa-1
members.nowpublic.com/scrivener
Vic Livingston, columnist, members.nowpublic.com/scrivener - 8/28/2008 7:10:00 PM EDT
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