Amy Goodman, host of the nationally syndicated independent TV and radio news show Democracy Now, was arrested on Monday while covering the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. Goodman was taken into custody after she approached police about releasing two of her colleagues, producers Sharif Abdul Kouddous and Nicole Salazar.  They were arrested while covering a street demonstration protesting the RNC. A video of Goodman’s arrest was posted on YouTube almost immediately and drew hundreds of thousands of views within the first 24-hours after the incident. Both Democracy Now producers claim they were manhandled by the cops who arrested them. Kouddous was allegedly slammed against a wall and onto the ground, while Salazar was knocked to the ground as she yelled out that she was a member of the press. However, the journalists were arrested under suspicion of rioting. According to reports, the police used pepper spray, rubber bullets, and concussion grenades to disrupt the protestors during the demonstration. Some witnesses accused the police of using excessive force as dozens of others were taken into custody, including a photographer from the Associated Press. Goodman, Kouddous, and Salazar were all released from police custody around midnight on Monday, but they still face legal charges. Goodman was officially charged with obstruction of legal process and interference with a peace officer while Kouddous and Salazar will have to face pending charges on suspicion of felony riot.