A reporter for the group N.C. Policy Watch was arrested Thursday when police closed the House chamber’s public gallery during a debate.
Joe Killian was covering the session for Policy Watch, which is part of the liberal advocacy group N.C. Justice Center. Killian previously wrote for The Greensboro News & Record.
Police had demanded that all journalists, lobbyists and other members of the public leave the gallery after NAACP protesters interrupted the House session by chanting. Police arrested a number of people who refused to leave and charged them with trespassing.
$20 for 365 Days of Unlimited Digital Access
Last chance to take advantage of our best offer of the year! Act now!
#ReadLocal
Journalists who are affiliated with advocacy groups do not have press credentials that allow them on the House and Senate floors, so they must sit in the public gallery to cover legislative sessions. Both chambers’ galleries were closed Thursday, meaning members of the public who wanted to watch the proceedings in person could not do so.
The people arrested were taken to the Legislative Building’s basement for processing. Police told two reporters to leave a public hallway where they’d been watching the arrival of those arrested.
The N.C. Justice Center and Policy Watch issued a statement criticizing Killian’s arrest. “He was not protesting,” according to the statement, attributed to Rob Schofield and Rick Glazier. “He was simply covering the incident and was arrested when he refused to stop covering the news. We believe in the end the judicial process will resolve this issue and find our reporter was simply exercising his right to cover the news as it was unfolding in front of him.”
Outrages continue: NC Policy Watch reporter Joe Killian arrested for simply doing his job at the #NCGA #ncpol #ncgov pic.twitter.com/OcJUIgHC6h
— Rob Schofield (@Rob_Schofield) December 15, 2016
[Proposed cuts to Gov.-elect Roy Cooper’s appointment powers passes NC House in 70-36 vote]
[Roy Cooper to legislature: Go home]
[Protesters pack legislature to protest GOP ‘power grab’; 20 arrested]
Journalist arrested during protests at legislature]
[Proposal to split NC elections boards between political parties moves ahead]
[NC House says state superintendent should be in charge of schools]
[NC lawmakers may give school calendar and class size flexibility]
[2 former NC governors criticize GOP efforts to strip executive power]
[Does legislature’s surprise special session violate constitution? Democrats say yes]
Comments