LeBlanc said he was blogger, policeman testifies

ASaint John police officer who pinnedCharles LeBlancto the ground during a protest in the summer testified Monday that the well-known blogger identified himself as an internet journalistbefore his arrest.

The case has drawn attention in journalism circles across the countryat a time when bloggers have begun to gain some recognition as legitimate journalists. LeBlanc, who watched as police temporarilyconfiscated his camera and deleted a photo,is arguing thatfreedom of the press should extendto all journalists, not just those working for big media companies.

LeBlanc, whowrites about politics and poverty on his website,was arrested at a demonstration outside a business conference at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre. He wascharged with obstruction of justice.

Asthetrial resumed in Saint John on Monday, Sgt. John Parks told the court he arrested LeBlanc as approximately 30 to 40 protesters dressed in black, and some wearing masks, attempted to storm the convention centre.

Parks told the court he noticed LeBlanc coming at him from behind with a camera and, since he appeared scruffy and wasn't wearing business clothes like the other members of the media, assumed LeBlanc was part of the protest.

The officer said he warned LeBlanc to leave the scene or else he would be arrested. LeBlanc answered that he was with the media covering the event and was a blogger, Parks testified.

As LeBlanc was arrested, he wasknocked to the ground byParks and Const. Tanya Lawlor. Parks testified that he then retrieved LeBlanc's digital camera and deleted a photo of himself.

Lawlor testified that she helped Parks arrest LeBlanc. She said the protesterwas not listening to police and resisting their efforts.

After the incident, Lawlor said she looked up LeBlanc's blog on the internet, and found pictures of herself brandishing a baton to ward off protesters, set to the song Kung Fu Fighting.

She said it made her feel humiliated and demoralized.

The trialwas to continueon Tuesday.