Saturday, November 25, 2006
A JOURNALIST FROM CBC " AS IT HAPPENS " GIVES HER VIEWS ON MY ARREST!!!
Go to part - 3
To save time go at 17 minutes.
target="_blank">Charles
Blog
It was one hell of a media scrum. But it wasn't journalists shoving each other. In fact, there was only one individual who could be considered press -- although, not by everyone. The rest were police officers.
Charles Leblanc of Fredericton is a blogger. He runs a website devoted to New Brunswick politics. And he's been fighting for the right to become a member of the press gallery at the New Brunswick legislature. Earlier this fall, Mr. Leblanc was in Saint John covering a rowdy protest at the "Atlantica" business conference -- a meeting dedicated to improving trade between Atlantic Canada and the Northeastern United States. At first, things were going well for Mr. Leblanc: he was snapping photos with his digital camera, documenting the event, much like his mainstream media colleagues. But a few seconds later, he was face-down on the floor with a policewoman's knee on his neck, getting cuffed by two other officers -- much like a protester.
On that day in September, Charles Leblanc was arrested, his camera confiscated, his pictures deleted. He was charged, and put on trial for obstruction of justice.
Well, today was a day of vindication for Charles Leblanc. He was acquitted of the obstruction charge, and the judge sent of message of support to bloggers everywhere.
Judge William McCarroll ruled that Charles was "plying his trade," and criticized the police for arresting him. The arresting officer had testified LeBlanc's scruffy appearance and unprofessional-looking equipment led to his arrest. But McCarroll argued that the seizure of LeBlanc's camera was unwarranted, and the police had no right to delete his photos. It was all music to a blogger's ears: a far cry from his sound manhandling by police, which, for the record, sounded like this:
DALET: FTR - BLOGGER
To save time go at 17 minutes.
target="_blank">Charles
Blog
It was one hell of a media scrum. But it wasn't journalists shoving each other. In fact, there was only one individual who could be considered press -- although, not by everyone. The rest were police officers.
Charles Leblanc of Fredericton is a blogger. He runs a website devoted to New Brunswick politics. And he's been fighting for the right to become a member of the press gallery at the New Brunswick legislature. Earlier this fall, Mr. Leblanc was in Saint John covering a rowdy protest at the "Atlantica" business conference -- a meeting dedicated to improving trade between Atlantic Canada and the Northeastern United States. At first, things were going well for Mr. Leblanc: he was snapping photos with his digital camera, documenting the event, much like his mainstream media colleagues. But a few seconds later, he was face-down on the floor with a policewoman's knee on his neck, getting cuffed by two other officers -- much like a protester.
On that day in September, Charles Leblanc was arrested, his camera confiscated, his pictures deleted. He was charged, and put on trial for obstruction of justice.
Well, today was a day of vindication for Charles Leblanc. He was acquitted of the obstruction charge, and the judge sent of message of support to bloggers everywhere.
Judge William McCarroll ruled that Charles was "plying his trade," and criticized the police for arresting him. The arresting officer had testified LeBlanc's scruffy appearance and unprofessional-looking equipment led to his arrest. But McCarroll argued that the seizure of LeBlanc's camera was unwarranted, and the police had no right to delete his photos. It was all music to a blogger's ears: a far cry from his sound manhandling by police, which, for the record, sounded like this:
DALET: FTR - BLOGGER
Mayor of Saint John - Norm MacFarlane with a good tan!!!
I bumped into the guy right after the verdict was read. I told him that he could be sued for one Million bucks!!!...lol
CHARLES WAS JUST INTERVIEWED BY THE NEW YORK TIMES!!!
It will be in the business section on Monday!!!! Who needs the Irvings anyway???...lol
THE IRVINGS GIVES CHARLES THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT EVER!!!!!
Yes, this is great news. Absolutely nothing in the Irving’s papers about my court case.
This is a very serious matter and I will pursue this in great details.
I will be contacting the Senate next week.
The Irvings printed stories about me being arrested and charge but once the ball fell on my side? The Irvings totally ignore this issue.
It speaks volumes about the dictatorship of the Irvings in New Brunswick.
It’s funny! Years ago, I would have been very disappointed that my story wasn’t in the paper but not these days.
We live in a true dictatorship system.
One individual in Fredericton told me last week that he canceled the Irving paper because they refuse to cover my day in court.
The Irving will discredit anyone who is outspoken in their papers but will praise their own people in their little rag.
Give me a break!!!
This is very serious issue and keep on reading this blog for further stories.
In closing? From the bottom of my heart. I wish to send a big MERCI BEAUCOUP to the Irvings for a wonderful Christmas present.
This issue will be blog till the end of time.
This is a very serious matter and I will pursue this in great details.
I will be contacting the Senate next week.
The Irvings printed stories about me being arrested and charge but once the ball fell on my side? The Irvings totally ignore this issue.
It speaks volumes about the dictatorship of the Irvings in New Brunswick.
It’s funny! Years ago, I would have been very disappointed that my story wasn’t in the paper but not these days.
We live in a true dictatorship system.
One individual in Fredericton told me last week that he canceled the Irving paper because they refuse to cover my day in court.
The Irving will discredit anyone who is outspoken in their papers but will praise their own people in their little rag.
Give me a break!!!
This is very serious issue and keep on reading this blog for further stories.
In closing? From the bottom of my heart. I wish to send a big MERCI BEAUCOUP to the Irvings for a wonderful Christmas present.
This issue will be blog till the end of time.
Friday, November 24, 2006
IT IS INDEED A TIME TO CELEBRATE!!!!
A friend gave me some money to celebrate with a few beers. That was awfully nice of her.
Of course this will be done tonight. I'm going to go live on CBC Radio at 5:10pm today. Charles Live???? .....lol.....I'll be ok!!!
Thanks for all the private emails of congratulation!!!!..
Of course this will be done tonight. I'm going to go live on CBC Radio at 5:10pm today. Charles Live???? .....lol.....I'll be ok!!!
Thanks for all the private emails of congratulation!!!!..
SAINT JOHN POLICE FORCE ARREST!!!! NOT GUILTY!!!!!!
Judge acquits N.B. blogger on obstruction charge
Last Updated: Friday, November 24, 2006 | 11:53 AM AT
CBC News
A New Brunswick blogger who was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice while taking pictures at a protest in Saint John last summer has been acquitted.
Charles LeBlanc, who writes about poverty and politics on his website, was arrested and pinned to the ground by three police officers outside a business conference last June. A police officer later admitted to deleting a photo of himself from LeBlanc's camera.
LeBlanc maintained he did nothing different from any other journalist covering the event, but was singled out by Sgt. John Parks, the arresting officer.
Parks testified that he arrested LeBlanc partly because he was "scruffy" looking and carrying an unprofessional-looking digital camera. Parks also testified that LeBlanc challenged police authority at the event, and resisted arrest.
However, CBC videotape of the event, entered as evidence by the defence, contradicted police testimony that he was resisting arrest and causing problems, and Judge William McCarroll said the pictures proved beyond a reasonable doubt that LeBlanc did nothing wrong.
"There is such inconsistency between the testimony of Sgt. Parks and the CBC video that I find it unsafe to convict Mr. LeBlanc," he said in court.
McCarroll also said the officer had no right to look at or delete the photo from LeBlanc's camera without a search warrant, and that it should not have happened.
Last Updated: Friday, November 24, 2006 | 11:53 AM AT
CBC News
A New Brunswick blogger who was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice while taking pictures at a protest in Saint John last summer has been acquitted.
Charles LeBlanc, who writes about poverty and politics on his website, was arrested and pinned to the ground by three police officers outside a business conference last June. A police officer later admitted to deleting a photo of himself from LeBlanc's camera.
LeBlanc maintained he did nothing different from any other journalist covering the event, but was singled out by Sgt. John Parks, the arresting officer.
Parks testified that he arrested LeBlanc partly because he was "scruffy" looking and carrying an unprofessional-looking digital camera. Parks also testified that LeBlanc challenged police authority at the event, and resisted arrest.
However, CBC videotape of the event, entered as evidence by the defence, contradicted police testimony that he was resisting arrest and causing problems, and Judge William McCarroll said the pictures proved beyond a reasonable doubt that LeBlanc did nothing wrong.
"There is such inconsistency between the testimony of Sgt. Parks and the CBC video that I find it unsafe to convict Mr. LeBlanc," he said in court.
McCarroll also said the officer had no right to look at or delete the photo from LeBlanc's camera without a search warrant, and that it should not have happened.
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