Minneapolis Police Seizing Citizen Journalist Notes and Equipment

Already there is a report of Minneapolis police of seizing citizen journalist notes and equipment and making up a reason later. Uptake has the story!

First of all, let me point out that Minneapolis and St Paul police forces are separate, with very different cultures and with SEPARATE police unions. I called Dave Titus, head of the St Paul's Union, who said that the St Paul Police are dedicated to being part of and protecting the St Paul community. The St Paul police force are dedicated to arresting for cause, and arresting only those who are involved in the activities that are the cause for arresting. Dave, said that they have been training for this. Both the St Paul city council and the St Paul police force believes in protecting citizen rights, and do NOT want a few law breakers to prevent the lawful free speech of the many. Respectfully, the police do sometimes ask that people step away from an incident and give space to the police to do their jobs. Dave believes fair witnesses will see that St Paul cops are "doing their job" (Kelly translation - enforcing the law appropriately for just cause). Dave, then repeated that St Police care about and are part of the St Paul police community. So we know that those are the "public relations" words. At least, the St Paul police are starting with good intent. This RNC event will test the standard of community policing in St Paul.

I have calls in elsewhere, and I will update with more information as it comes in.