Officer-involved shooting draws hundreds in Vallejo protest

By Jessica A. York and Irma Widjojo/Times-Herald staff writers   09/05/2012 

Taking photographs and video of things that are plainly visible in public spaces is a constitutional right — and that includes the outside of federal buildings, as well as transportation facilities, and police and other government officials carrying out their duties.

However, there is a widespread, continuing pattern of law enforcement officers ordering people to stop taking photographs or video in public places, and harassing, detaining and arresting those who fail to comply.

The ACLU, photographer’s groups, and others have been complaining about such incidents for years — and consistently winning in court. Yet, a continuing stream of incidents of illegal harassment of photographers and videographers makes it clear that the problem is not going away.

>> Know Your Rights: See more essential resources from the ACLU

For Immediate Release September 14, 2010

JACKSON, MS - The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi announced today the filing of a civil lawsuit on behalf of a Jackson man who was unconstitutionally arrested and imprisoned after exercising his first amendment right to observe a police interaction in a public parking lot and then asking for the officers' names and badge numbers.

"We do not have secret police in the United States," said Nsombi Lambright, Executive Director of the ACLU of Mississippi. "Observing police in public are fundamental rights, protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Individuals must know that they can exercise this right without fear of arrest."

In response to a flood of Facebook and YouTube videos that depict police abuse, a new trend in law enforcement is gaining popularity. In at least three states, it is now illegal to record any on-duty police officer.

Even if the encounter involves you and may be necessary to your defense, and even if the recording is on a public street where no expectation of privacy exists.

Maryland Citizens Face Felony Charges for Recording Cops

Infowars.com
May 23, 2010

In Maryland, it is a felony to record thuggish cops as they push around skateboarding teenagers, beat sports patrons, and pull guns on motorists for speeding.

“Several Marylanders face felony charges for recording their arrests on camera, and others have been intimidated to shut their cameras off,” reports WJZ 23 in Baltimore.

Maryland cops are using a Maryland law that states conversations in private cannot be recorded without the consent of both people involved in order to go about their business of harassing, intimidating, and assaulting citizens.

WHY WE PROTESTED AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY!!

NO CHARGES AGAINST COPWATCHERS AFTER BUNK ARRESTS

from their website:  http://westdenvercopwatch.wordpress.com/

....Police are consistently traumatizing and occupying our communities. Something as simple as a video camera, a pen and a pad of paper can significantly help deter the police from violating our community members’ rights.  We collect footage that both holds the police accountable and informs the people of their abuse of power.

Witness to a Shooting, Karina Vargas

http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=0a328d6a244268cf99a62d5a44668da1

YO! Youth Outlook Multimedia , News feature, VIDEO, AUDIO, Words by Karina Vargas, as told to Josue Rojas, Posted: Feb 20, 2009