First assignment for Issues

I wasn't quite sure how to post on the Issues blog, so I figured I'd use the blog I created for Multimedia Reporting last semester to complete the first assignment. Excuse the tacky header. I was going for tacky when I originally made this.

When I was surfing through the various links on the department's site, I came across a link to the First Amendment Center. I'll be honest, I was drawn here because stories involving rights typically serve as great centerpieces for lengthy discussions. Sure enough, one of the first few stories - one on protesters arrested during the Republican convention - caught my eye, and the end shocked me. Here's the link.

First off, I was surprised 19 journalists were detained. While they may not have followed explicit instructions by officers to clear the bridge, they also weren't intentionally blocking everything off, as stated by the county sheriff. "The tactic of blocking people on the bridge could very well have prevented a lot of activity later tonight," he said. "Clearly there were a number of people with no intention of being law-abiding tonight."

Law abiding? The reporters were there to tell what was going on. No pitchforks. No fire. Just notebooks and cameras.

The journalists were covering the event and, in all likelihood, not contributing to the protest or stirring the pot. I was just wondering how many of you found this story somewhat irritating, since the people are technically allowed to do so through our law. It doesn't really matter what side of things you fall on - I personally don't fully agree a protest is really the best way to get things accomplished - physical force wasn't right. There were better ways to handle the situation, ways without teargas, riot squads and pepper spray. The actions of the police weren't entirely warranted.

The reason I chose this article, though, is mainly because of what happened to an individual not part of the protest. He attempted to get home after work. It's in the lower third of the article, and I feel it shows how little patience and respect the police had while dealing with these people. The guy could have been pissed off he was tied up in bridge traffic because of police barricades, but does attitude warrant a spray to the face and a light clubbing? I am wrong? What do you guys think?