Amy Goodman Is Facing Prison for Reporting on the Dakota Access Pipeline
While it is pretty stupid that the state of North Dakota is issuing an arrest warrant for a journalist. I take issue with the sensational headline, she is facing 30 days in <i>jail</i> for misdemeanor trespassing. That isn't even remotely close to facing prison time.<p>Journalist don't have a right to trespass and there is precedent for criminal charges. Just a quick search brought up Arizona v. Wells. Wells trespassing seems minor in comparison what Goodman allegedly did. Goodman followed protestors into the construction area after "they broke down a wire fence by stepping and jumping on it".<p>I'm not defending either the state of North Dakota, the Sheriff's Department, or Goodman — just stating some facts. Also IANAL.<p>EDIT: I'm sure a journalist can be charged with rioting too. If they can't prove trespassing, I'm not sure how they'll prove rioting. It is bullshit, but not without precedent. That's all I'm saying.<p>EDIT 2: This isn't a constructive discussion anymore. I'm only trying to bring up a different way of thinking about the issue, not everything is an affront on our rights. This may be a case of that, but it is at least in the interest of everyone to discuss it objectively. IDK, I'd probably just delete this comment if I could.