Activist’s arrest raises abuse questions

The depths to which government thugs
can sink in order to intimidate media can
be seen in this harrowing tale from

reporter Wendy Binion

by Wendy Binion
For five hours on September 2, 2008, I was considered a felon by the City of St. Paul, the county of Ramsey, the state of Minnesota, and the United States government. I recieved this false and temporary formal charge for having the audacity to video The Poor People’s March during the Republican National Convention.

I remain under investigationfor conspiracy to document a momentous event and for suspicion to distribute independent media to the masses. This ongoing investigation is nothing less than the blatant attempt by local and national governments to disappear my camera and silence the voices of dissent.

After being assaulted three times on September 1, 2008, by police with chemical weaponry while videotaping the protests of the Republican National Convention, my poor mucus membrane had suffered enough. I decided to go to the Poor People’s March at Mears Park in St. Paul. I arrived at around 2pm and videotaped several speakers. At approximately 5:50pm I began to leave the park.I walked about fifteen feet away from where I was standing and heard a sort of strange group grunting.
I turned around and noticed a large group of riot cops grunting in unison, walking towards me. I did not realize that they were coming to arrest me until I was encircled. I shouted, “I am Wendy Binion, I am with Portland Indepedent Media, I am not resisting,” over and over again. I was not told of my charge. I was not read my rights.

I was taken in a regular squad car to the basement garage of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Department by one arresting officer. There I was photographed by three different police agencies. All my personal possessions were removed, including my media jacket, video tapes, battery recharger, ATM card, IMC press pass, and camera. I was taken upstairs to booking, where I was heckled by Ramsey County Sheriff’s deputies. They were shouting, “yeah, we got another one, we got another RNC,” and they told my that anarchists all smell because they are afraid.
They then informed my I was arrested for felony rioting. I reserved my right to remain silent until I recieved representation. They attempted to have a detective interview me anyway, but I reiterated that I would not speak until I saw a lawyer. They did not let me make a phone call to contact a lawyer. I was put in a cell in Ramsey county’s Women’s facility, given a meal of apple sauce, and remained in my street clothes throughout the duration of my stay.
At 9:40 p.m. that I was told to pack up my cell linens, put my shoes on, and come downstairs.
They released me and gave me my id, but no release papers, bail papers, court date documents, or any of my media equipment. The Ramsey county deputies told me they had no idea where my stuff was or if I had a court date.
They gave me directions to obtain that information but those directions led me straight towards a military checkpoint. I did not want to cross a military checkpoint to get my personal possessions at 10 p.m. after having spent the evening in jail.
When I returned to the place I was staying, I noticed quarter-sized bruises on my wrists and shoulders. There were finger shaped bruises on the back of my neck. I was told I may have a splinter-fracture in my right arm.

Since my return I have experienced nightmares of my arrest, and have had difficulty sleeping. I shock easily and cannot feel safe around any kind of police officer. I was told by the Minnesota District Attorney’s office that I am currently still under invesitgation for criminal conspiracy to commit a riot, but that I have no formal charges. I was told that this investigation can remain open for years.

Wendy Binion is a reporter with Portland Independent Media Center. Her work is available online at www.portland.indymedia.org