RUSTBELT RADIO/PITTSBURGH INDYMEDIA STATEMENT ON TAYLOR HALL ARREST AT NATO

Various media organizations, including the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times, reporting on the arrest of Taylor Hall at a NATO protest have identified him as being a journalist for "Rust Belt Media" or "Rustbelt". NBC Chicago's coverage of the incident links to Pittsburgh Indymedia/Rustbelt Radio's website.

This has created some confusion among our listeners and supporters. An internet search suggests there are several other projects and organizations in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan that appear to use variations on "Rustbelt" or "Rust Belt".

We do know Taylor Hall from his work livestreaming as an independent journalist in the Occupy movement--both locally at Occupy Pittsburgh and around the country--but he has no formal or informal association with Rustbelt Radio or Pittsburgh Indymedia as reported.

Rustbelt reporters working with NATO Indymedia were able to track down footage of Taylor's arrest and provide them to his NLG defense attorneys in Chicago. The footage sheds light that casts considerable doubt about the credibility of the criminal charges leveled against him. We wish Taylor the best in his legal fight.