G-20 Toronto: Restrictive Canadian border requirements leveled against G-20-bound journalists "Terrorizing Dissent" and "Democracy 101" director targeted on way to cover Toronto protests Nigel Parry, RNC 08 Report, June 24th, 2010 JUNE 24TH/2:31PM EST—In a telephone conversation with the RNC '08 Report, protest film-maker Vlad Teichberg—director of the 2008 RNC documentary Terrorizing Dissent, and 2009 G-20 documentary Democracy 101—described his experiences at the border with Canada, while on his way to cover the G-20 in Canada, taking place this weekend. The RNC '08 Report, which has worked with Teichberg on a variety of documentary projects since the 2008 RNC, will continue to follow the story and post updates as news breaks. WITH UPDATE. [Read more]
RNC 8 back in court for hearings Nigel Parry, RNC 08 Report, May 10th, 2010 On Monday, May 3, the RNC 8 returned to court for several days of evidentiary hearings leading up to the joint trial of the eight that begins on October 25. Motions to be heard include those to suppress evidence from the various raids, for bail reductions, for discovery materials relating to entrapment attempts by undercover police, and for dismissal on the grounds of a lack of probable cause. Observing the hearings, court watchers from the RNC 8 Defense Committee summarized the defense argument: “The main case of the government rests on a satirical video, guilt by association, statements and actions of people who are not the defendants, and discussions by the defendants that did not constitute any kind of a real plan or conspiracy to commit riot or damage to property.” [Read more]
Why the RNC '08 Report deserves your support Donate to support accountability and independent media! RNC 08 Report, February 2nd, 2010
Over a year after the 2008 Republican National Convention, the RNC '08 Report continues to produce original research, and compile and archive material relating to the 2008 RNC which is used widely by legal defense teams, journalists, and activists who are working in the aftermath of this and similar events. Your support helps us both keep up and expand our work to challenge over-policing and state injustices at National Special Security Events in the United States, as well as tracking and documenting what is clearly a globalizing pattern of repression of dissent. [Read more]
NEW G20 DOCUMENTARY! Democracy 101 A look at the Pittsburgh G20 protests from the makers of "Terrorizing Dissent" Indymedia, October 3rd, 2009 Made in Pittsburgh within five days of the G20 summit by a team from Pittsburgh Indymedia, Twin Cities Indymedia, Chicago Indymedia, Glassbead Collective, and Mobile Broadcast News, a new documentary: "Democracy 101 (Rough Cut)". Democracy 101 is a look at the policing and pattern of issues that arise during National Special Security Events. Made with footage from the recent repression of dissent in Pittsburgh, salvaged from the broken cameras, stolen video and arrested reporters, and independent journalists from around the country. [Read more]
The RNC '08 Report is a voluntary independent media project that is used by RNC arrestee legal defense teams, journalists covering the RNC (and now G20) aftermath, and activists working to challenge excessive policing. Donate now! [Read more]
G-20 SUMMIT LEAVES PITTSBURGH, QUESTIONS ABOUT FREEDOM IN AMERICA IN ITS WAKE Press Release, Independent Source, September 28th, 2009
Thomas Merton Center/Pittsburgh and Twin Cities Indymedia/Glassbead Collective NYC (Pittsburgh, PA, September 27th, 2009)—On the first day of the G-20 economic summit in Pittsburgh, residents and visitors arriving in the downtown area of the two time “Most Livable City” winner were greeted with a town locked down with security fences, barricades, and checkpoints staffed by security forces in camouflage standing next to armored vehicles typically seen in TV news reports from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Apache, Blackhawk, and Chinook helicopters traversed the skies. National Guard and airborne regiments staffed local jails, extended with temporary holding facilities created from mobile trailers, portable toilets and generators, where incarcerated protesters were referred to with military terminology as “detainees” not “arrestees”. [Read more]
From St. Paul to Pittsburgh: Citizen Media is Not a Crime Nigel Parry, RNC 08 Report, September 21st, 2009 My first experience with a National Special Security Event (NSSE) was the 2008 Republican National Convention (RNC), held between September 1st and 4th in St. Paul, Minnesota. Following years of work developing different areas of the independent media around the world, I co-hosted a variety of independent media from around the country in what became known as “the Indymedia Lounge” during the Convention, and was able to witness first-hand how independent media functions during a large-scale political event. The right to practice citizen journalism and freely carry the tools of reporting is a fundamental right in any free society. [Read more]
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