Amy Goodman and two former “Democracy Now!” producers have won a $100,000 settlement three years after police stormtroopers surrounding the GOP convention in St. Paul, Minn., battered, bloodied and arrested the journalists.

Most of the settlement will be paid by the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, while the U.S. Secret Service has agreed to pay $10,000. Rather than assist the victims of the incident, a Secret Service agent seized the press credentials of the “Democracy Now!” team.

Goodman said the settlement “should be a warning to police departments around the country to stop arresting and intimidating journalists.” Goodman will use the money to support independent journalism, the Associated Press reports. — PZS

Wait, before you go…

If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.

Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.

Support Truthdig