Police in DC Harass Local Reporters - Snatch Reporters Camera

Two reporters from The Common Denominator were detained by U.S. Capitol Police officers late this afternoon at two separate locations after taking pictures of roadblocks. Kathryn Sinzinger, editor and publisher of The Common Denominator, was detained about 4:20 p.m. for 15 minutes by Officer William Anderson. Sinzinger said Officer Anderson would not return her driver's license and press card, which she willingly gave to him to prove her identity. Anderson said he needed to contact a supervisor when Sinzinger asked if she was being detained or being placed under arrest. Reporter Michael Hoffman was held by Officers for almost an hour starting at about 4:30 p.m. Hoffman said the officers asked him for his Social Security number and whether he had engaged in "suspicious activities in the past." The officers took Hoffman's reporter's notebook and disposable camera, saying that they would return the photos after developing them, and interrogated him about his reporting assignment. Hoffman's notebook was returned after about 30 minutes, but the officers did not return his camera.  [more]