Misinformation from Democracy Now! re: arrests at UC Berkeley

Dear Democracy Now!

I was very disappointed this morning (December 14th, 2009) after hearing your headline news coverage regarding the arrests of eight people at UC Berkeley on the night of Friday, December 11th.

Schwarzenegger: Property-Damaging Education Protest a “Type of Terrorism”
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/12/14/headlines#15

It was very irresponsible and inaccurate for Democracy Now! to report that, "Later in the day, eight people were arrested after damaging property at the home of UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau."

DN! states, without any evidence, that the eight people damaged property and were subsequently arrested. DN! does not even qualify the statement by citing a source for this completely unsubstantiated claim that the eight arrested were involved in property damage.

My friend and fellow Indymedia journalist was among the eight arrested. He was specifically targeted because he was a journalist covering the demonstration.

It is likely he was arrested since it was a way to get the photos from his camera, not because police thought he was involved in property destruction or even a protester. He did not run when the police arrived.

I also note that DN! made the false statement about the eight people arrested after reporting on ACORN and saying that, "The congressional vote followed the release of videos appearing to show ACORN offering advice to two right-wing activists posing as a pimp and prostitute."

With the ACORN story, DN! host Amy Goodman says, "appearing to show ACORN offering advice.." Here, DN! responsibly qualified the charge by saying "appearing"

I am requesting that Democracy Now! issue a correction or clarification regarding DN!'s coverage of the eight people arrested at UC Berkeley on December 11th.

Students at UC Berkeley issued the following press release about the event:

Eight protest bystanders charged with multiple felonies
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/12/12/18632412.php

I understand and appreciate that DN! is busy working hard in Copenhagen. A reply to the concern raised in this email would be greatly appreciated.

signed,
Indybay.org volunteer and longtime supporter of Democracy Now!