I was going to update this every day, but I spent the week on autopilot, without much sleep or food. Free time was spent trying to get things done.
This week was full of complete chaos. I didn’t have time to think about it much as it was going on, so now it is all starting to hit me. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to sum up this week into words.
In front of the stage for the March for Our Lives, put on by the Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign- September 2nd, 3008
[video]
[video]
The man who maced me. Saint Paul Police Sergeant Jeff Rothecker, badge number 245.
I am not used to seeing dozens upon dozens of police in riot gear. Maybe in pictures, but not on the streets of Saint Paul. At noon I was hanging around at 7th and St. Peter, leaning against Mickey’s Diner as media and police stood around, waiting. When they arrived, I walked among the protesters, taking pictures of them, the counter-protesters, and the police.
I watched and photographed as a police officer grabbed the back of the shirt collar of a protester who wasn’t doing anything that anyone else in the street wasn’t, dragged him down to the ground, and then proceed to spray mace at everyone. Including me. Never been maced before, I was overwhelmed by the force contained in the small amount of liquid that got on me. I managed to get over to a spot on the sidewalk where I dropped to the ground in agony. I am not good at physical pain.
I sat there, face/eyes burning and blinded, until a street medic named Susan came down. She helped hold my eyes open and flushed them with water. A couple TV crews came by to see what was up, and I made sure to point out I wasn’t even a protester; I was just taking pictures.
I was not the only journalist to be maced today. [1] [2]
Edit: It turns that this was all caught on tape, unsurprisingly! I am in the blue tank top and Twins hat with the red backpack.
Information about today’s multiple raids in the Twin Cities unfolded quickly over Twitter. Here is a list of accounts you should follow for RNC updates:
C-SPAN is also aggregating Twitter posts that include the “#rnc08” hashtag.
A Google Map created by Mike McIntee of The UpTake.
I am going to be covering the RNC as it unfolds in Saint Paul, and related events in surrounding areas. I have no agenda; I am 100% independent. I will also be utilizing The UpTake’s New Media Space in Downtown Saint Paul, near the Xcel Energy Center.