Gotta love the militarized pollice who herd the protestors inside a cage then pepper spray, rubber bullet, and assault them for "failure to obey an order to disperse." It was a free fire zone to beat the hell out of anybody who showed up while the police provocateured the people who were left over that they couldn't spy on and raid and arrest beforehand (before they even did anything like protest, let alone anything illegal) like in the case with the group that Amy Goodman from "Democracy Now!" was with. This was a police state setup from start to finish, to intimidate anyone and everyone who dared to voice their oppostition to the incumbent party. And all at taxpayer expense. How quaint. This IS America today. How do you like it?

this is just the beginning.

once a new "president" (read: dictator) is elected, the country will collapse, then there will be "protests" all over this country.

don't forget what we were back in 1776 when we shed our first oppressive government.....

democracy silenced through wasted tax dollars!

I want to know about award winning journalist and host of "Democracy Now" Amy Goodman getting arrested by St. Paul police while covering the protest outside the RNC. I want to know about REAL news about first amendment violations and how freedom of the press is being violated. This issue deserves top line press!

These are not protesters they are animals with no intent other than to cause caos. Smashing windows, destroying property and breaking and entering are not protest. GO LAW ENFORCEMENT! Jail these clowns and don't take anything from them. Slap these idiots down and jail them.

......hold on a minute,

I'm watching tv and there's not a word about protests, or a lock-down.

The protestors were causing problems. They had no acceptable reason, except to cause destractions.
The police used acceptable force to correct the problem. The protester should be put into jail until after the convention, but the we the people of Minnesota will just have to pay for their meals and their confortable matress.

Beat those dirty hippies

I was at a protest @ a Bush fund raiser in Portland Oregon in 2002 when the pigs pepper sprayed a baby (and yes police who pepper spray a baby are pigs). Let me repeat that, THEY PEPPER SPRAYED A BABY!!!

There are reports coming out of police snipers perched throughout a concert in the area. There are reports of police herding peaceful marchers, forcing them to the Xcel Center, where they were met by other police who told them to turn around or get tazed. They were tightly compacted and then cordoned off with yellow tape and not allowed to leave. Bystanders were caught in the roundup and not allowed to go either. The Bush presidency has expanded the police state; the spooks in the surveillance industry continually press increasingly sinister devices on a law-enforcement community only too willing to use taxpayer dollars to buy them. Command and control and tase when necessary. Beat when necessary. Film when necessary. Put non violent protest or expression of "protected" speech in a pen instead of treating those voicing their opinion, within rights granted them by the Constitution, like what they are. Americans. Wake up, America! They're not perfect, but Obama and Biden are both Constitutional scholars and they might actually respect the people's right to live under the rule of law. Make sure it happens.

Oh brother. Police state? Get a grip on reality. If the people weren't blocking streets there wouldn't be a problem. If they observed the perimeter fence there wouldn't be a problem. But then that would require common sense. It's a shame my tax money was required to disperse the idiots.

I wish they would show more scenes of hippies getting beat down

Hey Drew---You dumb @#@...Quit smoking that Dope. These people are nothing more than punks and deserve whatever law enforcement gives them. These punks remind me of a two year throwing a temper tantrum. You become an adult by expressing yourself in an intelligent and meaning full manner not by becoming ignorant and juvenile. Grow up people!

Why does my hard earned money have to pay for jobless hippies to go to jail for being stupid?

I think the people who were arrested and won't give their identity should have their pictures placed on the news for others to identify. They should sit in jail until they get processed.

At least they might give them a shower

Or maybe at least a stick of deodorant and a razor

There was so much in the news about how China kept protesters from activating during the Olympics. Where is the mainstream media coverage about OUR government and their anti-protest tactics. Visit Democracy Now! That website had reports on unconstitutional arrests (prior to the conventions) of people who planned to protest in St Paul. IS THIS STILL AMERICA, LAND OF THE FREE? There are elements in our government who seek to keep us from our constitutional right to free speech. Apathy is suicide. Speak up, act now...before it is too late!

True or false: Protesters damaged police cars.
True or false: Protesters blocked traffic.
True or false: Protesters staged sit-ins in the middle of traffic.
True or false: Protesters attempted to riot.

I believe the majority of demonstrators there were doing what they think were right. The few numskulls there causing trouble tend to ruin it for a lot of America loving patriots.

I am, however, for the use of force against those willing to riot or damage property. Yet, let the peaceful demonstrations continue in peace.

"Voice their opposition to the incumbent party"? Converging en masse, crossing barricades, climbing walls, and displaying characteristics of a mob is not part of a person's freedom of speech. There are many other avenues for (peacefully) voicing one's difference of opinion. It the intersection sign says "Don't Go" and you go anyway and get hit. That's on you. Unfortunately, the liberal mentality is to get a lawyer and sue which only entices these wackos to tempt the law and endanger the lives of others like it's a form of entertainment.