As an activist, I try to support as many other activists as possible. So when I heard about Bob Constantine trial in Grafton County I did all I could to attend (pulling an all nighter the night before the trial). I thought the day would be boring as most court proceedings are but that wasn’t the case this time.
Right away we were told about a double security check and a ban of cameras from the courtroom. It didn’t take long for the activists to start asking questions and pushing the limits of these tyrannical rules. As seen in the video below Ian Freeman, of FreeTalkLive.com, did he best to get electronics into the courtroom, yet, was threatened with arrest if he didn’t leave.
What do you think? Should cameras ever be banned from a public building? If I have to pay for it shouldn’t I be allowed to record the actions that take place in such a place? Should undercover officers be protected? Aren’t they public servants? Do real public servants need to hide their face? Is this the world you want your children growing up in?
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You are all pretty upfront guys, which I respect, but in cases like this where you are stonewalled by intransigent authorities who don’t give a shit about the constitution a little subversion could be in order. Have a guy with obvious camera equipment argue to get in. If he does get let in, nothing else need be done. If he is stonewalled, like in this case, while he is arguing have someone dressed in a nice conservative suit walk in with a hidden camera, maybe a pen cam. After the trial upload it all to the net, from some anonymous location like a library. The government has NO PROBLEM using subterfuge and lies to put people in cages, it’s time to give them the same treatment.
Im gonna disagree with you guys on this one AGAIN…..clearly you have some sheriffs deputies who could very likely be allies.
You guys do a fantastic job of overspeaking them….generally being disrespectful and pushing the issue…..
GUYS you’re gonna have your opinion and I’m gonna have mine….problem is while I’m a staunch supporter of the constitution we all realize except a few apparently that it IS possible to honor the constitution and be polite and not argumentative.
The more I watch and digest the more it seems some of you guy’s might be leaning more towards anarchy than freedom….anarchy is the absence of freedom since anarchy leaves the weak to be preyed upon.
While I detest the fact that courts are essentially banning free speech,expression and press I think a majority of Americans can appreciate that justice demands that we have halls where disruption can be limited and where certain victims should be free from identification,photography and harassment.
I do NOT support “undercover” officers having some special power or freedom from legal citizen or press photography.
If my loved one was a victim and your group came tromping in demanding your rights be preserved and yadda yadda……you WOULD NOT earn my support.
If your real intent is to make change and inform and educate….you have to make people understand your cause,like you and want to support you. Act like petulant children and you simply look silly.
I consider myself a member of the free press…..as such from time to time I think we should all be reviewing why were doing what were doing and how we do it.
If your journalistic tactic going forward is going to be to create “Jerry Springer” constitutional product then expect to be taken as such and as seriously.
By “Jerry Springer” I mean as of late every disagreement with law enforcement you’ve documented has resulted in argument and disrespectful repetitive empty interviews. Compare much of your earlier content where there was open discussion…compromise and open minded sharing of views and values.
I’m sure that as time has progressed you have become increasingly jaded and angry over the mounting harassment you’ve been witness too. Not to mention the financial damages and unlawfully destroyed footage and other materials.
However you had to know when setting out on this journey that there was inevitably an amount of harassment,resistance and violence you would encounter.
I still strongly support your cause and will continue to send financial support through the channels I am able too. YOu guys keep the faith and try to keep a level head…..theres plenty of folks up and down the east coast and around the country who would be happy to meet you….attend rally’s and engage in march’s or the like
Keep in Mind our hometown here of Portsmouth Virginia in the Hampton Roads area of Southeastern Virginia……….near ODU in Norfolk a Police department with significant corruption and abuse issues all the way to Virginia Beach a mere minutes away…..another department who I’m sure would love to have a shot at all of us together.
anyway….take care
Echoing what Guy said above, it would be very easy to get a camera into a courtroom, even with going through a metal detector. Even a wand probably wouldn’t catch it. I noticed this method when I was required to make several appearances in court this past winter. If I had been of a mind to, I would have taken a full sized loaded handgun past the guards.
In reguards to the small camera’s available that have audio.video/picture taking an motion sensors. Barrycam.com Has one that will fit in the palm of your hand for 99.00 looks like a BMW key has usb port sd card cord to attach to you puter to download an they actually paid for shipping . Youtube quality video an you can have the camera in your pocket an it will still pickup audio. Oh an if you have not heard about Barry ? He is the guy who started Nevergetbusted.com . Use to be a cop an got tired of arresting people for victimless crimes.
I dont understand why officers are afraid to arrest someone when they are being filmed. There was say too much talking going on. Its plain and simple, leave the electronics outside and come in, leave the courtroom, or get arrested.
Dear JP,
Cameras have been permitted in courtrooms under a number of Supreme Court decisions regarding “freedom of the press.” Having been beaten up by a cop screaming “don’t resist, don’t resist,” as I stood there asking to be permitted to phone my attorney, I have no respect for law enforcement any more. It is just another scam to put money into the pockets of a lot of parasites that has nothing to do with protecting citizens.
I am a 57 year old woman and I was beaten up by a 25 year old cop who was serving me a warrant for my terrible crimes of having my lawn too long. (I mow it myself.) You tell me, should I have been able to film the kangaroo-court proceedings that I was subjected to?
You have no idea what is going on out there.
You miss the point. I could not care less about the filming thing. It’s the lack of decision on the officers and bailiffs that I was addressing. If you have a court order/law/ordinance whatever, then there is grounds for arrest. If an officer is not going to arrest for the offence (which they dont have to, its called discretion) then shut up about it and dont keep threatening an arrest. It makes me sick to see officers who are afraid to take action just because there is a camera pointed at them. Stop explaining everything to them multiple times, stop threatening an arrest. Either lock them up or shut up. Thats what I am saying. I have more of an idea of whats going on out there than you will ever know.
Very well written by Mr Gump of Virginia. But…having looked at these policing and judicial events involving citizens for a while now, the evidence seems to be contrary to his position. It does not seem to matter whether you are polite,handcuffed,face down on the ground, or drunk and combative; it is the us verses them mentality and you better comply or else.
I would suggest to you in this time in our history, 90 per cent of the LEO’s could care less about you and the law. And,the other 10 per cent can not do anything or will not do anything about the other 90 per cent.
In conclusion, my opinion is that in the immediate future I would not look for any policing authority to cross the thin blue line to look at the problem through a different lens.
@Alan….
I must concede your assertions…..however please realize I am not trying to undermine the cause or action as much as I just want to see opportunities like this not only recorded and publicized, but I also want to pick the right battles and attract a support base that are NOT fringe.
Thanks for your comments though…..you ARE exactly right about the cross section of LEO that truly care about proper policing or citizens rights.
Why are recorders of all kinds banned from the courts in the first place? It’s stupid. I had my run in with the court changing my court date behind my back and I have no proof of it. If I had a recorder, it would of set them straight. I also recorded the conspiracy of two police officers AND I was the one who was convicted for it. SAD sad world!
Im happy you guys are still active. i should be moving up there soon. thanks.
I think it was a bit unnecessary for you guys to film the under cover agents. That was a bit childish