Victims & Heroes: The Fight for Our Right to Record Police
Our friends at Flex Your Rights made a timeline that depicted “A recent history of notable arrests and litigants whose court cases are poised to unravel unjust wiretapping laws.”
It includes many incidents of which you’re likely already aware, and some that might be new. And though the exact circumstances in each situation differed significantly – from cash settlements to those wronged (such as Antonio Musumeci) to murder (such as Oscar Grant) – the unifying thread was simple: that no one has extra rights.
The surest way to ensure there are no more Oscar Grant’s or even folks like Ademo and myself who spent a night in jail and over a year in and out of courtroom legal land, is for each of us to stop granting authority to strangers simply because it’s claimed. Stop acting as if those wearing badges have extra rights – they don’t. You know this. Don’t be afraid. If you see them doing something wrong for you or me, call them out, record and share. Failure to do so at every opportunity means the double-standards only become more entrenched and harmful.
This is even more true since individuals who wear badges purport to serve you yet in true hypocritical fashion, they first steal your money, and if you question them or attempt to hold them accountable, some resort to the only tool in their arsenal: force. That is the epitome of poor service. And it won’t cease until the entire monopolistic framework erodes as we each individually decide to withdraw our consent and look to other, consensual solutions.
