Police raid news outlet, seize all items following report on local business.

Civil Liberties ​Advocates ⁢Accuse Kansas Police Department of ​Violating First Amendment

Civil liberties advocates are up in arms over a recent incident ‍involving the Marion Police Department ⁣in Kansas. The department conducted a raid​ on the office of⁤ the Marion County Record, a local ⁣newspaper, which has sparked accusations of ⁣First Amendment ⁣violations.

According to the Kansas Reflector, the police seized numerous electronic‍ devices and press materials during⁢ the raid ⁤that took place on Friday.

Retribution for Investigative Reporting

The ⁣raid was reportedly prompted by the newspaper’s research on Kari Newell, a local restaurant owner. Newell had previously barred reporters from‍ the Record from attending ‍a town hall meeting with Republican U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner. The newspaper had uncovered Newell’s DUI conviction, which could potentially impact her ability to obtain a liquor license.

Eric Meyer, the co-owner and publisher of the Record, described the police raid as an⁣ act of⁤ intimidation‍ and retribution by local law enforcement. He stated, “Mind your own business or we’re ⁣going to step on you,”‍ expressing concern about the chilling effect this incident could ⁣have on their ability to⁤ tackle ⁤important ‌issues and gather information.

Tragically, the raid ⁣had another devastating consequence. Joan Meyer, the 98-year-old co-owner of the newspaper and Eric Meyer’s mother, passed away the day ‍after the raid. The Record reported that she was overwhelmed by shock and grief due to the illegal ‌police raids on her ⁣home and the newspaper’s​ office.

Longtime Marion County Record journalist Joan Meyer, 98, died Saturday less than 24 ⁤hours after a police‌ raid at her home. https://t.co/HG5nIVHmyW

— The Kansas City Star ⁣(@KCStar) August 14, 2023

Violation of Press ‍Freedoms

The Marion⁢ County District Court Magistrate Judge ‍Laura Viar approved a search warrant for the raid, despite the legal implications of targeting a news outlet. The warrant authorized‍ the police to seize devices used in the alleged identity theft​ of Kari Newell.

Surveillance camera footage of the raid revealed officers photographing and confiscating digital devices belonging to the newspaper.

.@ABC News has obtained⁢ video‌ of a police raid on a small-town ⁣Kansas newspaper. The publisher says his 98-year-old mother, with whom he ‌co-owned the paper, died one day later from the stress she suffered. https://t.co/vKpgofPtUd pic.twitter.com/izlHED52PI

— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) ⁢ August 14, 2023

Emily‌ Bradbury, the executive director of the Kansas Press Association, strongly condemned the raid,‍ calling it an attack on press freedoms and​ the ⁢public’s right to know. She emphasized that this infringement on the ‌rights of journalists undermines the very foundation of democracy and must not be allowed to stand.

Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody ‍defended⁣ his department’s actions, stating that‌ the judicial system would vindicate them. However, ‍the incident has caught the attention of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, which is now looking ​into⁢ the‍ matter.

Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody will not provide our I-Team with any records regarding ⁣the raid he and his staff conducted on the offices of Marion County Record. We asked for the affidavit warrant among ⁣other records. Chief Cody tells us the judicial system “will ⁢be vindicated.” pic.twitter.com/PwbALm86A5

— Jessica McMaster (@JessMcMasterKC) August 13, 2023

This⁢ incident has raised serious⁤ concerns about the protection of press freedoms and⁢ the potential abuse of power by law enforcement. The Kansas Press Association​ and civil liberties advocates are determined to ensure that this ​violation of ‍the First⁣ Amendment ⁢does not go ‌unchallenged.

For more information, ‌read the full article on The Western Journal.