Film crew arrested by order of Republicans at Congressoinal Hearing
 

WASHINGTON -- In a stunning break with First Amendment policy on Capitol Hill, House Republicans directed Capitol Hill police to detain a highly regarded documentary crew that was attempting to film a Wednesday hearing on a controversial natural gas procurement practice.

Republicans also denied the entrance of a credentialed ABC News news team that was attempting to film the event.

Josh Fox, director of the Academy Award-nominated documentary "Gasland" was taken into custody by Capitol Hill police this morning, along with his crew, after Republicans objected to their presence, according to Democratic sources present at the hearing.

The meeting of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment had been taking place in room 2318 of the Rayburn building. Rep. Brad Miller (D-N.C.), the ranking Democrat on the committee, is currently seeking to secure a procedural maneuver that would allow the detained film crew to re-enter the hearing, which is open to the public. Miller's motion is not expected to succeed

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1246971.html

Update:

Fox did not have formal Capitol Hill credentials, but such formalities are rarely enforced against high-profile journalists. Temporary passes are easy to obtain, and if Republicans had objected on procedural grounds, they could have simply sent the the crew to the front desk, rather than ordering police to arrest journalists.

The right to a free press is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Documentary crews are almost never denied access to public meetings of elected government officials.

A separate ABC News crew, which did have official Capitol Hill credentials, was also denied access to the public hearing.

UPDATE: 12:09 p.m. -- Capitol Police public information officer Sergeant Kimberly Schneider provided the following statement to HuffPost on the morning's events:

"At approximately 10:30 a.m. today, United States Capitol Police arrested Joshua Fox of Milanville, Pa. in room 2318 of the Rayburn House office building. He is charged with unlawful entry, and he is currently being processed at United States Capitol Police headquarters."

Saudi royals and assorted dictators are loving this news. Oh the environment! Save me Lord Rothschild from myself! Tax my carbon!!
Get the f.uck out of here, dumb b.itch.

Hahaha... They're lucky they weren't shot on sight or detained forever thanks to you're boyfriend's quick pen New Year's Eve...

You do realize that once all of these carbon taxes, etc. are implemented that you will no longer be able to afford food? You blow so much hot air on this forum that the tax on it alone would bankrupt Goldman Sachs.

Go f.uck yourself, ya c.unt.

We'll let you speak for yourself :tro:

There you go with the smugness/uppity s.hit. You aren't in their club, b.itch.

This hearing was at the request of the President, who wants oil companies to be forced to reveal the chemicals in their fracking fluids (that are injected underground, and then later disposed of underground and have been accused of contaminating aquifiers)

Republicans would not allow this to be filmed by either ABC News crew or Mr. Fox, in direct contradiction to normal Congressional Committee procedure (including this committee)

Fox being arrested, Democratic committee members angered:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzsKG...layer_embedded

Capital film of event on this page, before and after the arrest, some Democrat committee members walk out.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1246971.html

We do this at the State and Local levels here, we don't need the President making this his thing so he can feel all high and mighty to his sheeple. Before anyone fracks any land here in Colorado, there is a hearing, there are test done on the surrounding area and it is decided whether or not it will be permitted. Will they be checking on all construction permits as well? How about water well digging and water rights? Will nothing be left for the State and local governments to handle?

http://www.scribd.com/NathanBenefiel...sland-Debunked

Looks like they afforded him the same courtesy as they do Mikey Meyers when he tries to rewrite history by distorting facts and timelines in his mockumentories