The disturbing trend of attacks/arrests of journalists, photographers and independent media

[Earth_First]

JS photographer arrested while covering Occupy Milwaukee protest

Journal Sentinel Editor Martin Kaiser disputed the police account as it pertained to photojournalist Wentz-Graff's arrest.

"At no time did Kristyna Wentz-Graff ignore any commands by any officer," Kaiser said. "She came upon the scene to do her job as a photojournalist. She was clearly not part of the protest. She was wearing her Journal Sentinel photo press credential. She was carrying photography equipment while taking photographs of police making arrests when she was grabbed by a police officer and handcuffed. Her arrest was completely uncalled for and violates the First Amendment. No reason for her arrest has been provided."

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/js-photographer-arrested-while-covering-occupy-milwaukee-protest-133090133.html

Campos also defended the arrests of three journalists covering the march. AJC reporters were among those notified by Campos before Sunday's arrests and on Oct. 25 -- the night of the first Woodruff Park raid -- that anyone, including news media, found in violation of city ordinances faced arrest.

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/occupy-atlanta-bails-out-1219452.html

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia said it will provide legal assistance to a photographer arrested while taking pictures of Richmond police as they removed the Occupy Richmond encampment from the Kanawha Plaza downtown.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2011/nov/05/tdmet04-aclu-to-assist-photographer-arrested-at-pr-ar-1436680/

Occupy videographer shot with police projectile

Scott Campbell was walking a police line at the Occupy Oakland general strike last week when he was shot with a nonlethal beanbag or rubber bullet by police.

http://blog.sfgate.com/stew/2011/11/07/police-shoot-man-taking-video-of-occupy-protest-with-projectile/

Jonathan Foster, who is a staff photographer for The RIT’s weekly student publication, the Reporter Magazine, was arrested after he had gone to his car to get a pen.

Foster, who was wearing a T-shirt saying “Reporter” on it at the time of his arrest, was photographing the protest and said that he was walking back to the area of the arrests when police confronted him.

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20111029/NEWS01/111029005/Occupy-Rochester-protesters-return-Washington-Square-Park
"They said, ‘That’s it. You’re done,’ ” said Foster 20, a photojournalism major from Dillsburg, Pa

Mayor says it's 'very clear' arrested photographer was journalist

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/flynn-seeks-meeting-with-media-after-arrests-133183378.html

Anyone else bothered by this?!