Arrested for videotaping police activity?!
By keeegan_ess
@keeegan_ess (512)
United States
June 22, 2011 7:56pm CST
Wow. So I just read this article about this woman who got arrested for videotaping some guy being arrested by police. This was a 28-year-old American citizen who lives in Rochester, New York. She was arrested in her own front yard for videotaping police officers! Officially: She was said to be obstructing governmental administration; Unofficially: Videotaping police officers searching a man's car.
As an American, this certainly astounds me! Police can't do that! She has freedom of speech and the freedom to do whatever she want. I mean seriously, on what grounds can they arrest her? Hopefully her lawyer gets her out quickly.
You can read the full article along with the video here: http://tumblr.thedailywh.at/
1 person likes this
4 responses
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
23 Jun 11
Police know the power of evidence, so naturally, they do not like it. Yes, I have seen many, many videos of police yelling and threatening those with cameras. To not be allowed to tape is obstruction of justice, regardless of what they want to call it.
I just read an article about Apple putting a new feature in their phones that can shut off recording capability to "stop recording of illegal activity." I worry that the cameras will get shut off when people try to record police. It's all censorship and that is something that I will never support.
"Censorship reflects society's lack of confidence in itself. It is a hallmark of an authoritarian regime." ~Potter Stewart
@keeegan_ess (512)
• United States
23 Jun 11
I love that quote that you included at the bottom. It's really an inspiring quote.
I totally agree with you. Police make so much excuses for their actions that they know are wrong. It definitely shouldn't continue any longer. And that Apple thing you were talking about is sort of scaring me. I haven't heard of that before, but it definitely sounds like we're being more and more restricted. Even corporations are jumping on this bandwagon.
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
23 Jun 11
Yea the Apple thing makes me a little wary too, but I only read it from one source, so... not a hundred percent. Here it is though if you're interested in judging for yourself.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/06/apple-s-censoring-patent-just-sign-things-come
The good thing is that those who do wrong tend to really stretch the limits and the people will only ever take so much. Once the line is crossed, it makes way for change. In other words, the worse things get, the better chance they will improve.
@keeegan_ess (512)
• United States
23 Jun 11
Wow, that Apply thing really does scare me. Hopefully that's just a false article.
I totally agree with what you're saying there. But it really does take a lot for change to happen. I mean, you have to go through a lot for something you want.
@CTHanum (8234)
• Malaysia
26 Jun 11
She did a wrong and illegal thing??? I don't think so~ Don't worry more will support her soon. She have rights to do so.Hmm..now they should know the power of ordinary citizen do have.....freedom to do everything??? So that is mean she did nothing wrongly~She got arrested. There has something wrong to do with the police as we know that woman did nothing illegal.
@CTHanum (8234)
• Malaysia
26 Jun 11
They will released her soon but I am very sure without the videotape. Perhaps she recorded something that the police did not want others to know so most probably they will keep the videotape. If they did not do wrong things they will not even arrested that woman.
@keeegan_ess (512)
• United States
26 Jun 11
I know! I haven't followed up on the story, but I think she'll be free sometime soon. Usually when everyone knows the law is wrong, we win. And yes, you're right, she didn't do anything wrong. Since when is videotaping a crime? She has the freedom and right to do it. She wasn't even bothering them at all.
@tarachand (3895)
• India
21 Aug 11
The link doesn't open, but, if what you say is true, then its the classic 'who will watch the watchdog' question.
Probably the cops were exceeding their authority or powers when searching someone's car or arresting him.
I am sure that the legal procedures in your country will help set the woman free without any adverse mark on her record and help bring the law officers to book.
Sad that such a thing has to happen in a nation that does a lot of chest thumping about its democratic principles and the care that it has for the safety of its citizens in any part of world.
@belonephobicgirl (513)
• United States
23 Jun 11
That's ridiculous. I hope she doesn't actually have to do a few days in jail for recording police arresting someone. It's like all cops want to do these days is arrest people and give them tickets for stupid reasons.
@keeegan_ess (512)
• United States
23 Jun 11
I know! They were probably just annoyed with her and tried to find some reason to get her arrested. Hopefully she does get out soon.
