Denver Police Physically Assault DNC Protesters, Reporters

Two videos have surfaced showcasing the level of control being exerted by Denver police to ensure protesters and the media follow their orders.  First, an ABC News producer, Asa Eslocker, had been investigating the role of lobbyists and top donors at the Democratic National Convention.  He and a camera man were attempting to take pictures on a public sidewalk at the Brown Palace Hotel.  The hotel was hosting a meeting of Democratic senators and VIP donors.

Police initially refused to tell the producer what charges were being filed against him, and later he was charged with trespassing, interference, and failure to follow a lawful order.  At one point in the video, the police officer states that the producer was "blocking traffic" (after the officer pushes the producer into the street).  The police officer also states sidewalk is not public property, but rather is owned by the hotel.

During the arrest, one of the officers can be heard saying to Eslocker, "You're lucky I didn't knock the f**k out of you."  Toward the end of the video, check out the cigar-chomping police sergeant following the activity.

The second video is of a Code Pink protester being slammed to the ground, then arrested by Denver police.  The protester didn't move fast enough for the policeman's liking, so he decided to make the point a bit more forcefully.

What do people think of this type of activity?  Do you feel it is within the rights of police officers to take such actions, or that their activities impinge on free speech?