Drop Charges Against Journalists for Covering #NoDAPL Protests
– In North Dakota, journalists are being targeted and arrested for covering peaceful protests against a harmful pipeline. These arrests are a clear and blatant attempt to suppress the press from reporting on human rights violations committed by the state acting on behalf of oil and gas companies.
As Earth Guardians around the globe, we demand that North Dakota officials drop the charges against journalists and that President Obama ask the DOJ to investigate the unlawful arrests.
Even at 16 years old, I know the importance of the first amendment of the constitution, which protects the freedom of our press. It's an essential right in a free country and is something that sets us apart from countries around the world where reporters are locked up for reporting on human rights violations. But right now that's exactly what's happening:
Democracy Now's Amy Goodman was charged with criminal trespassing simply for filming an attack on Native American-led water protectors. Actress and activist Shailene Woodley along with many other peaceful protestors have been arrested as well. Most recently, documentarian Deia Schlosberg, the producer of Josh Fox's new climate change documentary has been arrested for filming a protest in North Dakota. She could face up to 45 years in prison if convicted.
We cannot let corporations and police violate the first amendment and intimidate our work towards a healthy and sustainable future. Please sign on to demand our constitutional right of freedom of the press is protected!
SIGN NOW: petition: Protect Freedom of The Press: Drop Charges Against Journalists for Covering ND Pipeline Protests
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