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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums"Your First Amendment rights can be terminated"
The video is chilling, but it's also a sign of the times.
"Your First Amendment rights can be terminated," yells the Chicago police officer, caught on video right before arresting two journalists outside a Chicago hospital. One, an NBC News photographer, was led away in handcuffs essentially for taking pictures in a public place. He was released only minutes later, but the damage was done. Chicago cops suffered an embarrassing "caught on tape" moment, and civil rights experts who say cops are unfairly cracking down on citizens with cameras had their iconic moment.
Tales of reporters, protestors and citizen journalists being threatened or arrested for filming law enforcement officials during disputes are on the rise, critics say, with Occupy Wall Street protests a lightning rod for these incidents. The National Press Photographers Association claims it has documented 70 such arrests since September and, in May, called on U.S. Attorney
General Eric Holder to focus attention on the issue.
"The First Amendment has come under assault on the streets of America," the photography association said in a letter to Holder that was also signed by several other interest groups. "Police have arrested dozens of journalists and activists simply for attempting to document political protests in public spaces.
http://redtape.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/01/11998060-first-amendment-rights-can-be-terminated-when-cops-cameras-dont-mix?lite
sharp_stick
(14,400 posts)they understand the constitution. Too bad they get away with this shit.
WingDinger
(3,690 posts)I had a cop tell me, after bashing in my door, and blowing up my doorbell at midnite, that me not letting them in the door immediately, is why they knew I was guilty. This, for being a med mar patient. They didnt know that law, and were making rude reich wing comments as they searched my home, about how all my stuff would have to be sold, as I am too sick to own nice stuff.
I lectured their asses for at least an hour, with handcuffs on. My illegal rescinding of fourth ammendment rights was an edumacation for those thugs.
ananda
(28,925 posts).. willy nilly?
What this country is coming to just makes the last 200 plus years null and void.
WingDinger
(3,690 posts)You dont have rights, till you assert them in court. On the street, they OWNN YOU. And if you dont do what they say, NOW, you will be tazed, and charged with resisting, obstructing, or assault.