Amy Goodman of @democracynow faces criminal charges today, arising from her coverage of a protest against #DAPL. thenation.com/article/amy-go…
The prosecutor has pointed to what he deems Goodman's "one-sided" reporting, "position," and "agenda" in justifying his decision to charge.
Makes you wonder how familiar State's Attorney Erickson is with Wayte v. US.
"The decision to prosecute may not be deliberately based upon...the exercise of protected...constitutional rights." Wayte v. US (1985)
Rights including, of course, "the freedom of speech" & "of the press."
Selective prosecution claims are notoriously hard to prove. But then, prosecutors rarely make statements like Erickson's.
(Of course, they also rarely prosecute reporters who are simply covering political protests.)
PS-Does Goodman's conduct really constitute 'Engaging in or Inciting a Riot' under North Dakota law??
Not my state and I haven't seen the complaint. But looking at the statute, and video of event, seems like a stretch.
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