Photographers and reporters were assaulted and arrested at a public forum hosted by U.S. Representative Russ Carnahan:

Post-Dispatch reporter Jake Wagman, who was covering the event and shooting video for stltoday.com, was arrested for interference.

Post-Dispatch photographer Dawn Majors was at the scene and photographed the arrests. She said she heard Wagman yell her name and say that he was being taken into custody.

...

"My friend took pictures," Matthews said, "and an officer told her not to. She contested that."

Matthews said he and his friend walked away, arm in arm. The officer followed them, and Matthews friend exchanged words with the officer, Matthews said.

"I can't tell you how many police officers charged us from behind," Matthews said. "I was pushed to the ground by one. I was pushed into the back of somebody who was walking away."

Matthews said he was told he was arrested for interference. His friend was maced "after she was subdued by the police," Matthews said. She vomited on the side of the road, then later vomited more in the police car, he said.

STL Today (Post Dispatch): Six people, including P-D reporter, arrested at Carnahan meeting

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Later statement by the Post-Dispatch editor:

Editor’s statement about the arrest of reporter Jake Wagman

Obviously, the police weren't interested in having their activities documented.

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Well, sometimes reporters and photographers can be a little bit much when they are trying to get an exclusive story or picture. I guess you just would have had to be there to know the real story.

The police told her to stop photographing. That is illegal & unconstitutional behavior on the part of the police. Photography of public officials (including police officers) in the performance of their duties is protected the 1st by amendment, as is photography in general in public spaces.

Police cannot legally order anyone to cease photography nor to destroy your photographs nor can they legally confiscates your phone or camera for the purpose of destroying it themselves.

Period. Stop. End of story.

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