But even videotaping police misconduct is apparently suspect. One of the groups targeted by St. Paul police is I-Witness video, a respected watchdog group that has systematically collected video evidence of police abuse since the 1999 Seattle protests against the WTO. During this convention, riot police raided their space twice without any explanation. The second time they arrived with a battering ram and no warrant, claiming that they had reports of someone being held hostage in their office.

Last week’s events cast a dark shadow — arresting clearly marked journalists, medics, and legal observers who are simply doing their job is not the hallmark of a democracy. Nor is grabbing people off the streets, indiscriminately pepper-spraying peaceful demonstrators, and spying on groups without a warrant.

Anjali Kamat is a producer for Democracy Now! a US-based news show.