[ad_1]
Dion Rabuen, a financial reporter for the Wall Street Journal, was arrested outside a Chase bank while conducting job interviews. He was visiting family in Arizona for the holidays when he decided to do some work on a new story. According to ABC affiliate KNXV, the incident happened last November while Rabouen was trying to interview a man walking past the bank.
People working at the bank came outside to question Dion about what he was doing, to which he answered and explained the purpose of his interview. Although he was never asked to leave, an officer from the Phoenix Police Department arrived soon after. Rabouen said he offered to stop interviewing if necessary.
In a video of the incident, which has now gone viral, a bystander captured the officer handcuffing him, placing him inside and threatening to punch him if he didn’t comply.
Rabuen’s employer, The Wall Street Journal, expressed concern about the violation of Rabuen’s First Amendment rights to “freedom of speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government for redress of grievances.” Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Matt Murray wrote a letter to Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan stating:
“I am writing to express my deep concern about the behavior of members of the Phoenix Police Department last month with Dion Rabuen, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal who was engaging in his First Amendment right to gather news. Mr. Rabuen, being an American citizen, had the clear right to be present on the sidewalk and participate in news gathering,” the letter said. It continued, “Naturally, I am relieved that Mr. Rabuen’s interaction with the police Phoenix officials ended peacefully. But I am horrified and concerned that officials from your department would try to interfere with Mr. Rabuen’s constitutional right to engage in journalism and purport to restrict someone’s presence in a public place. Such behavior is offensive to civil liberties, and also pretty good news.”
Murray said that Dion Rabouin, together with the Wall Street Journal, will determine what further actions they will take.
An administrative investigation into the arrest has been opened for the Phoenix Police Department. nThe Phoenix Police Department issued a full statement on the case:
“The Phoenix Police Department received a letter from the editor-in-chief of the Wall Street Journal expressing concern about an interaction with one of their reporters and a Phoenix police officer. This letter has been shared with our Bureau of Professional Standards for review and they are conducting an administrative investigation. Once the administrative investigation is complete, it will be made available as part of a public records request. Bank employees contacted police after receiving complaints from customers that a man was approaching people as they entered the bank, asking them personal questions. The interaction between the officer and the man who is the subject of the complaint took place on private property.
Dion thanked on Twitter for the support:
I have nothing more to say about the Phoenix PD situation. Almost all the details can be found in Dave’s report here. Thank you to everyone who reached out to offer support. We hope to hear back from the chief or someone from the department soon. https://t.co/KEce6YPLW4
— Dion Rabouin 🇺🇸 (@DionRabouin) January 5, 2023
[ad_2]
Source link