Success: Charges Dropped Against Journalist Reporting on Dakota Access Pipeline Protests

Target: John Grinsteiner, District Judge, North Dakota

Goal: Applaud that charges have been dropped against the journalist who was covering the protests of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

All charges against a reporter covering the peaceful protests of the Dakota Access Pipeline have been dropped thanks in part to petitions like ForceChange’s “Drop Charges Against Dakota Access Pipeline Journalist.”

Award-winning journalist Amy Goodman was charged with trespassing and charges related to rioting for covering protests against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The oil pipeline would run through sacred Native American land and poses the risk of poisoning the water supply that Native Americans depend on to survive.

The mainstream media has been largely silent on covering the protests. Goodman was on the ground at the protests with Democracy Now! and recorded pipeline security guards attacking peaceful protestors with dogs and pepper spray. The coverage went viral and Goodman was later served with trespassing charges. Those charges were then withdrawn and replaced with riot charges.

A journalist should not be charged for doing his or her job by reporting on an event that touches on climate change, environmental protection, militarization of police and our Native populations. These charges were a complete encroachment on freedom of the press.

Now, Goodman will not be punished or silenced for trying to shed light on one of the most important protests in modern day history. Applaud that these charges have been dropped, freedom of the press has been protected and more people will know about the vital protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Judge Grinsteiner,

You recently refused to authorize riot charges against Democracy Now! journalist Amy Goodman that were brought up against her for reporting on a brutal attack on protestors of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Goodman was performing her duty as a reporter by filming pipeline security guards brutally attacking protestors who are just fighting for their right to land and clean water.

I applaud you for protecting freedom of the press by dropping these charges and ensuring that Amy will not be punished for reporting on this critical environmental and human rights issue.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: jasonwoodhead23