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ABC News Producer, Friend, Arrested at DNC
Ian L. Sitren, Photographer
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Palm Springs | CA | USA | Posted: 9:04 PM on 08.27.08 |
->> The cops were pretty aggressive, however...
He made a really big mistake.
The cops said "Let's Move", it was not a request, it was an order.
And then the guy with a cell phone to his ear says "OK, hold on" to the cop, like he wants the cop to wait for him to finish his phone call.
Bad move, big mistake. |
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John Riddell, Photographer
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| ON | Canada | Posted: 9:21 PM on 08.27.08 |
->> Don't tell a cop to hold on and the question him while telling him to relax over and over. Might as well drop the bag and ask him if he 'wants to go'.
On the other hand, was one of the arresting officers sucking back on a stogey while arresting him and chewing gum???? |
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Walter Calahan, Photographer
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Westminster | MD | USA | Posted: 9:34 PM on 08.27.08 |
->> "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Please explain to me why our police state doesn't understand this?
Attica Attica Attica Attica |
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Robert Caplin, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 9:38 PM on 08.27.08 |
->> Yeah, I'm up in the air on this one...I do feel his telling the office "hold on" was the inciting factor, not to mention continuing to cary on a phone call....but, the actions of the officers seems a little overly aggressive. It's hard to tell based on the video footage provided by ABC...it would be interesting to see unedited footage moments prior to the end, uncut.
I don't know about this one...I hate to see a fellow member of the media be arrested, especially a friend, when in reality...was he really a danger, and did he break a law?
Food for thought. |
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Ian L. Sitren, Photographer
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Palm Springs | CA | USA | Posted: 9:43 PM on 08.27.08 |
->> No food for thought here.
When the cop said "Let's Move" the guy should have done two things at the same time. Said "Yes Sir" while his feet were moving rapidly in the direction the cop intended.
Saying "OK hold on" while he was walking in a half circle was just asking to be dealt with immediately. |
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Jason Fritz, Student/Intern
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San Francisco | CA | USA | Posted: 9:49 PM on 08.27.08 |
->> if this happened during the Olympics in Beijing, the narrative would be how authoritarian-minded Chinese officials are trying to stifle press coverage of the games.
the real crime here is smoking in public within 15 feet of a doorway, which according to the Colorado Clean Air Act of 2006 is illegal and punishable by a $200 fine. perhaps the cop should both read up on the Colorado state laws and the constitution.
http://www.smokefreecolorado.com/data/files/431-07%20PROD_Street_Officers_G... |
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Mark Buffalo, Photographer
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Lonoke | AR | USA | Posted: 9:49 PM on 08.27.08 |
->> Like Robert said, it would be nice to see the unedited version of the video and the guy probably should have gone on but at the same time, what right does the police have to do what he did. None. I'm with Walter on this one. We see this kind of stuff all the time working in small towns, police who think their crap doesn't stink because they have a badge. At the same time, i live in a town where the police chief was tried and convicted for operating a criminal operation and his wife for stealing meds all over town and having sex with inmates. This is in a town of 4200 people.
Just my rant. yeah, the reporter messed up but he didn't deserve how the cops were acting either as long as he was in a public place. The cop said "you are impeding traffic." the cop pushed him out there.
Oh well. |
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Jon Gardiner, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 9:50 PM on 08.27.08 |
->> Did they bring in the cop smokin' the fat cigar for added effect? I think he's also the one who says, "you're going to jail, Buster."
-J |
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Rick Rowell, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Vista | CA | USA | Posted: 10:31 PM on 08.27.08 |
| ->> Jason, I looks to me as if the cigar is not lit. If it's not lit then is the law being broken? If you noticed the limo behind the ABC producer then you will understand why the cop told the producer to move. The producer was obstructing a clear path to the limo for whomever it was waiting for. I would think someone of importance being protected by the police. Now saying that, I believe the officer did not have to go as far as he did. He could have controlled the producer by escorting him down the sidewalk and not across the street into traffic. It would only take one person disguised as a reporter or cameraman to harm or kill one of these politicians. Then you have a mess on your hands. Denver PD does not want that to happen on their watch. When news agencies sign for credentials their are rules that go along with that. I'm not sure as to this convention but I'm willing to bet that one condition of being issued a credential is that you obey the police when the give orders. The video is not that clear cut as to what really happened. The cop might have said move one time before pushing or he may have said move for the tenth time and thought he was still being ignored by the ABC producer. Lets just see how this thing shakes out over the next few days before taking sides. Just my two cents. |
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Jamie Roper, Photographer
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Portland | OR | United States | Posted: 10:43 PM on 08.27.08 |
| ->> freakin' shameful, utterly shameful. cops like that need to go. away. |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Princeton | IN | USA | Posted: 10:44 PM on 08.27.08 |
->> I had cops order me back from two incidents last week. I just moved and slapped on the long glass. During one of the incidents, I was told to stop shooting. I didn't. The cops tried to intimidate me and another co-worker and I reminded them we obeyed their lawful order by moving across the street. They finally turned around and walked away.
In this case, it looks like the cop was pissed off that the ABC guy told him to "hold on." It's like he's telling the cop he'll move when he's finished with his call. At any rate, I don't think it helped his case. On the other hand, I think the cops were heavy-handed and overzealous.
It would be nice to see some additional legislation to beef up the public's rights instead of allowing police to behave in such a way that there is little to no recourse for the accused, in this case, the producer. |
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Tom Ervin, Photographer, Assistant
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Palm Beach | FL | USA | Posted: 11:01 PM on 08.27.08 |
->> The cop was a "_ _ _". Just this particular cop. Well maybe a couple others.
The cop was pushing the poor bastard in the friggin street. The officer was probably wishing the bus was a bit closer. Heck I was wishing the bus was a bit closer. I was getting tired of reporter's whining voice. Thank God the almighty gave the cameraman a good set of balls by keep filming. But again it might of been a woman behind the lens.
I noticed one the peace officers (if you could call him that) was sucking on a cigar like a pacifier during the drama. It probably brought flash backs of the convention in Chicago and got his adrenalin going.
The cop (pushing the scum bucket reporter) looked like he just ate the whole inventory of the nearby Mr. Donut's. He should be disciplined for not wearing the proper law enforcement attire. That fat bald head was somewhat distracting for me and probably through off the white balance of the camera. He should of been wearing his cap .
But in all seriousness I think the cop just wanted to show Denver's hospitality by dancing with the reporter in the street and the reporter wasn't in the mood and things just got out of hand.
Speaking of Denver anyone hear or see John? |
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Larry W. Smith, Photographer
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Valley Center (Wichita) | KS | USA | Posted: 11:22 PM on 08.27.08 |
->> It's hard to tell from this video, but the officer went right past the sound man and camera man just standing there and told the producer to move and started to push him into the street, the whole time allowing the camera man and sound man to remain free and still stand on the sidewalk. So from what we got to look at it looks like the police had it out for the producer only. Even if the limo was waiting for someone as long as the media is in the same place the public was which they were you saw two people walk past in the background at the same time the producer was being told to move they were not breaking any law and did not have to leave that is the freedom of the press. If there was a person of importance and safety was an issue other people would not have been allowed to continue to walk freely past on the sidewalk the whole area would have been closed until they were safely in the limo. Then when he was arrested on the other side of the street they told the camera man to turn it off which he didn't I'm glad. Public areas that aren't closed to the public cannot be off limits to the media because a few cops want it to be.
Ok enough ranting from me. |
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Darren England, Photographer
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Brisbane | QLD | Australia | Posted: 12:45 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> These cops remind me of a character called Leo Wanker, which appeared on the Paul Hogan show, which was very popular on TV in Australia in the 1970's/80's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isM1xKhHv3I |
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David Bailey, Photographer
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Flower Mound | TX | USA | Posted: 1:33 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> He did get aggressive for simply standing on a sidewalk talking on a cell phone. I liked the comment that "now your in traffic" when it was the cop that put him there. You would think that with all the whacked out protestors there calling for the overthrow of the U.S. and walking down the middle of roads, obstructing traffic, etc. that picking on a member of the media would not be their best choice. And, telling the camera man to "turn it off" is a guarantee that the video will keep rolling.
I like that the Sgt. didn't loose his cigar during the arrest.
This arrest will go away, I can guarantee it.
Does anyone know why they didn't want him standing on the sidewalk? Was there some dignitary coming in or out that direction? |
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Dirk Dewachter, Photographer
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Playa Del Rey | CA | USA | Posted: 1:56 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> I found the reporter's passive resistant behavior of just remain standing there after being given an order to move and then to comment to "hold on" rather arrogant and disrespectful to the law enforcement personnel on duty. There are a variety of ways one can resist a lawful order and the reporter's body language, behavior and verbal response is a prime example of it. It doesn't always have to be resisting through violence.
I have the suspicion that there is more to that incident and the uncut version of that tape would probably shed a whole different light on the entire situation. Media, especially television crews and their editors, have a tendency to perform some creative editing to just show their perspective. |
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Peter Hoffman, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Athens/ Naperville | OH/IL | US | Posted: 3:27 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> Either way, if a cop tells me "Let's move" when I'm in compliance with the law, that is unnacceptable. No, I will not move. Arrogant as the reporter may have seemed, giving respect to an officer is a courtesy, and not the law. Him moving would have been a courtesy and is not the law. Unless this sidewalk was privately owned this should not have happened. I understand that people's attitudes and personalities can clash but that's not an excuse for excessive force or demands, no matter how much the guy is getting on your nerves.
Where is the police training for tolerance? I'll keep my own experiences out of this. |
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David Burnett, Photographer
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Arlington | VA | usa | Posted: 3:43 AM on 08.28.08 |
| ->> If you haven't seen the show of force the Forces of Peace and Order (that is what the Chilean Junta called the Army after the 73 coup) are doing in Denver, a normally buttoned up city, then I would hope you would be shocked. Literally dozens and dozens of cops, all of them in freshly baked black-nylon web gear of the newest and finest order, in packs all throughout downtown, trying to look as uncivic and "menacing" as possible. It is a shameful disgrace. Who do they think they are trying to intimidate? Bin Laden? I think he just sits back and laffs his butt off, thinking this is what he and his little band of henchmen have driven the US to. This is the glorious end game of unlimited Homeland Security budgets, as virtually every officer here is from a suburban police force (Lakewood, Aurora, Boulder..) and since it is unlikely, I"m afraid that any of them will actually nab Bin Laden, they feel some kind of need to flex their black webgear amidst the law abiding public. Is there a need for an SUV with 8 to 10 mounted SWAT team, riding outrigger platforms, to be driving through a peaceful city? Must have missed that somewhere in my civics book. Mein Kampf? Yea, many references, I'm sure. The most shameful thing about it all is that the press remains (except for ABC and this arrest) mute on the subject. The militarization of a political convention is a new low in our civic life. Enjoy it while you can. I'm sure we're just seeing the beginning. Burnett / in Denver (just back from Beijing where nothing even remotely as distasteful occured during the Olympics. They are not paragons of freedom, no, but at least they have the sense to know when to cool it.) |
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Chris Stanley, Photographer
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Lansdale | PA | USA | Posted: 6:15 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> The cigar looks as idiotic as the producer refusing to get off the phone even as he was being arrested.
Lack of courtesy and respect all around, I'd say. I agree that this one will go away quickly. |
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Francis Specker, Photographer
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Riverside | CA | USA | Posted: 6:19 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Conventions/story?id=5668622
This gives more of the back story of the whole thing.
I think the cops were a little over the line on this one. I wish I could give cops the benefit of the doubt, but having experienced similar stuff in my 20+ years in journalism, I can't.
I wish there was video and youtube when that kind of stuff was happening to me.
What I really notice is how all this is perceived. Those who work in the media nod knowingly and the general public tends to see it as the pushy media getting their consequence. |
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Darren England, Photographer
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Brisbane | QLD | Australia | Posted: 6:23 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> If you have a half hour to spare, the show below is about a young aussie who was stopped from entering the USA by a Homeland security officer because he didn't like the look of him.
http://www.abc.net.au/austory/specials/realitybytes/default.htm
(click on the reality bytes button)
Land of the free, not anymore. |
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Tom Ervin, Photographer, Assistant
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Palm Beach | FL | USA | Posted: 7:31 AM on 08.28.08 |
| ->> Can someone give me more huhs and inappropriates? I need to better my stats than last year's huhs and inapproriates |
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Walter Calahan, Photographer
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Westminster | MD | USA | Posted: 7:45 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> "rather arrogant and disrespectful to the law enforcement personnel on duty"
I find it rather arrogant and disrespectful to the citizens of a free America to confront a person standing on a sidewalk talking into a cell phone.
Our law enforcement personnel are not the 'Jailers' of America. |
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Alan Stewart, Photographer
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Corydon | IN | USA | Posted: 8:02 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> Walter, we're citizens of a free America, however sometimes there are instances where security trumps individual freedom.
Standing on a sidewalk talking into a cellphone is okay. Standing on a sidewalk talking into a cellphone in an area that's trying to be secured is not okay, however.
The entire situation could have been avoided if the producer moved from directly in front of the hotel doors, to the side of the doors like he was asked. |
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Walter Calahan, Photographer
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Westminster | MD | USA | Posted: 8:45 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> I give up.
Welcome to Amerika, Alan.
When I covered the Romanian Revolution, I asked a college student why she thought her parents allowed a Ceauşescu to take control.
Her answer: "The gave away their freedom for a crust of moldy bread."
People can't even drive in a straight line while on a cell phone, you expect this producer to even comprehend what the cop was saying while he was intently listening to the voice on the other end of the phone conversation. Wake UP people.
Nothing, NOTHING trumps freedom. Without FREEDOM there is NO security. |
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Larry W. Smith, Photographer
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Valley Center (Wichita) | KS | USA | Posted: 9:04 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> Walter I agree with you it is getting out of hand with the media and the general public being controled by force from our local, state, and federal government. The area was not trying to be secured or the general public would not have been walking past in the background like nothing was going on.
L |
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Jeff Martin, Photographer
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wellington | OH | usa | Posted: 9:05 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> Mr Burnett, If the police look "uncivic", what would be the civic look? The people the are there to control are the potential rioters and looters who take advantage of these kind of situations.
They should not be interfering with lawful activities. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 9:05 AM on 08.28.08 |
| ->> alan, with all due respect, I wanted to say a statement like yours comes out of left field but you're not even in the ballpark. the police do not have the right to single out the media and mopve them from a public place. as others have said there are people with access to the sidewalk in the video and mr. pork chop doesn't say a word to them. also I saw some video from that series abc is running and there were people (lobbyists) who got pissed off because abc is filming all these parties where money is being spent hand over fist to buy votes. two or three times the videographers was shoved and a hand grabbed the lens with cops watching in the background. that's assault. but do the cops do anything about it? no. read what david said. it's a damn shame this country is turning into a police state. as far as an arrogant producer? arrogance is not against the law....but as I said in a previous post this will go away. all charges will be dropped, the police will say, "it was a misunderstanding" "the officer was overzealous and we apologize" then donut boy will get a promotion and is probably being hailed a hero by his buddies for arresting the menacing journalist. pathetic |
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Joe Cavaretta, Photographer
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Ft Lauderdale | FL | USA | Posted: 9:11 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> "Standing on a sidewalk talking into a cellphone in an area that's trying to be secured is not okay, however."
secured from WHAT?
the call from inside the hotel that led to this incident was probably along the lines of "we got media out here hassling us,"
rather than, "we fear for our safety."
As you can see in the video, clearly, lots of the public freely walking by on this "secure,"
sidewalk. No, this guy was clearly singled out because the people inside did not like what he was reporting on and they called on "protection."
Now we have public police officers guarding elected officials acting like bodyguards for Paris Hilton. Wonderful!
And what the F*** do the "no food for thought," people mean? Because a cop says something, you do it? No matter what?
Think about this: This is probably the favorite most beloved by cops and firemen around the country:
http://septterror.tripod.com/firephoto.html
This photographer was told to turn back, to stop shooting, to get the F*** OUT! at least seven times on the way to making this photo.
So, Misters, No food for thought, Did he break the law? Should he have been arrested for "not obeying the police?" |
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Mark Smith, Photographer
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Elk City | OK | USA | Posted: 10:30 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> If, at every turn, when a cop tells you to do something, and it is deemed a "lawful order" simply because he/she says it, we are living in a police state. This won't be prosecuted, but that is of secondary importance. Those officers don't really care if the charges stick, they accomplished what they wanted to accomplish simply by "cuffing and stuffing" him.
This notion that the "area was being secured" simply doesn't hold up to scrutiny, because the police were not already on the scene to "secure the area". They responded to a call. The public has a right, a necessity, to know who is throwing money at which politicians, and these officers interfered with the collection of that information. This was a demonstration of power, not only by the police, but by the "VIP's and Senators", as well, who wanted the press to go away. It is disturbing, albeit increasingly common, and which political party is involved doesn't make one scintilla of difference. |
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Phil Hawkins, Photographer
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Fresno | ca | usa | Posted: 11:01 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> The Whole World's Watching...
The Whole World's Watching...
The Whole World's Watching...
The Whole World's Watching... |
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Bryan Hulse, Photographer
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Highlands Ranch | Co | USA | Posted: 11:02 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> Yeah, I think anyone standing around talking on a cell phone should be allowed to continue their conversation no matter what is going on around them.
Maybe they should be excused when causing a traffic accident too? Great call.
I don't think that falls under the freedom of speech concept. |
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Joe Cavaretta, Photographer
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Ft Lauderdale | FL | USA | Posted: 11:08 AM on 08.28.08 |
| ->> now its illegal to stand around and talk on a cell phone? |
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Mark Smith, Photographer
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Elk City | OK | USA | Posted: 11:13 AM on 08.28.08 |
->> Bryan, he was moved and arrested because of why he was there. It had nothing to do with the cell phone, and everything to do with the cameras.
If charges are filed and prosecuted, and if he is found guilty of a crime in a court of law, I'll happily admit that I was wrong. If the charges are dropped and we get the common "it was just a misunderstanding" song and dance, then this was abuse of power. It's frightening that people don't understand this.
Incidently, did anyone else hear a cop say "Shut it off, let's go"? Yeah, he wasn't talking about a cellphone. |
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Walter Calahan, Photographer
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Westminster | MD | USA | Posted: 2:30 PM on 08.28.08 |
->> "potential rioters and looters"
Then why aren't the police looking over the shoulders' of every corporate deal on Wall Street. Far more looting going on their, then on the streets on Denver right now. Thank you Enron.
The point is the police and the convention planners blew it.
Long before any of this happened, a press filming area should have been established at this hotel so the boots on the ground didn't have to shove and arrest working journalist.
I haven't met many journalist who are POTENTIAL rioters and looters, but I've been wrong more than I've been right.
Anyway, the Supreme Court has ruled over the years that prior restraint for a 'Potential' crime is illegal. You can't arrest a person because they have the potential to riot or loot. But you can invade a country 'cause they have to potential of make weapons of mass destruction as we have learn these past few years.
The Denver senior police officials planned only to display force, but they clearly did not plan on making functional working conditions for the Press to covering this event without the need for force. If I were mayor of Denver, I'd would want to see heads roll. |
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Tom Ervin, Photographer, Assistant
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Palm Beach | FL | USA | Posted: 3:28 PM on 08.28.08 |
->> GREAT ! I get home from an assignment and someone gives me an Off Topic.
Sweet Jesus I didn't ask for an Off Topic. All I ask for was truck loads of huh and inappropriate. How is that going to look if I have one measly Off Topic
I wonder if the reporter is going to be booked for resisting arrest or
creating a disturbance. In today's society employers are always making the background checks. That incident could cheat him out of a good job in the future. Even if he is innocent. |
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John Riddell, Photographer
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| ON | Canada | Posted: 3:36 PM on 08.28.08 |
->> Tom,
He can always show a potential employer the tape and let them decide on his conduct. |
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Jeff Martin, Photographer
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wellington | OH | usa | Posted: 8:07 PM on 08.28.08 |
->> Come on Walter, My riot and looting comment wasn't about this particular situation. It was about the all encompassing nature of the previous post.
I completely agree (as I stated) that lawful activity should not be subject to such intimidation. As for the wall street looting, I completely agree; however I was thinking of the violent loot burn and pillage variety when justifiing the police in riot gear. |
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