A public media journalist will no longer face criminal charges stemming from an incident at the Dakota Access Pipeline protest.
Amy Goodman is the host of “Democracy Now.” She was covering the protest south of Mandan over the Labor Day weekend. She followed the protestors onto private land.
Goodman had faced a trespassing charge. Prosecutors dropped that, in favor of a misdemeanor rioting charge. However, a judge threw out that count – and Goodman is free.
"It sort of redeems the North Dakota legal system," said attorney Thomas Dickson of Bismarck. "It shows the good judgment of our judges."
Dickson said this issue needs to be discussed outside the courts.
"This is a political issue," Dickson said. "People should debate the pros and cons of this issue in teh court of public opinion."
Goodman then addressed a crowd of protestors gathered outside the Morton County Courthouse.
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“The judge’s decision to reject the state’s attorney’s attempt to prosecute a journalist – in this case, me -- is a great vindication of the First Amendment and of our right to report,” Goodman said.
Goodman said she plans to continue to report the story of the pipeline opposition.
Since the protests started, more than 150 people have been arrested.
