Update: Mike BlueHair of FTP PDX Arrested During Protests Against Portland Police Contract
Technically, this is a prequel, rather than an update, since he was arrested prior to the protests I wrote about here at the CopBlock Network last night.
The video begins with a voice over during footage of the protests in which Mike states that a third of the people who follow his Youtube channel want to see him get arrested and this will make them happy because he was finally arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct.
In the portion of the video that actually shows the arrest, Mike is heard responding to an unheard statement by asking, “I’m under arrest?” He’s then told to step down from a wall he is standing on, presumably to get a better view for filming the protest, by a group of riot cops. After he discusses wanting to have the SD card from his camera placed into evidence, Mike then asks why he is being arrested. One of the police officers replies, “for being in the street” and then asks, “how many warnings did you have to come out of the street?” At that point, Mike states, “I’d like to invoke my right to remain silent; I’d like to speak to a lawyer, please.”
The video then returns to a voice over in which Mike states that he gives the officers who arrested him credit for being professional and treating him with dignity and respect. However, he also states that he wishes the police would have treated the protesters at City Hall with the same respect and that he is “livid” over the way things were handled by police there.
Related Posts:
Mike BlueHair films the police in and around Portland as part of “Film The Police Portland,” also referred to as “FTP PDX.” In addition, he has traveled to various other parts of the country to film the police. He has a very active Youtube channel, which he has uploaded thousands of videos to.
In fact, it could very easily be questioned whether the police should be ordering him to leave the street (the stated basis for his arrest), based on his years of work as an independent journalist documenting protests and other activities, if he was simply observing and not actively participating at the time. (I happen to know has a press pass, because I made one for him.)
Mike has been featured many times over the years in posts on CopBlock.org. Below are links to posts in which Mike has been involved in or mentioned within.
- Riot Cops in Portland Pepper Spray, Arrest Protesters After City Approves New Police Contract
- Copblockers Stand Up to Homeland InSecurity and Win
- New Jersey Police Officer Watches Woman Get Robbed And Does Nothing
- CBR EP 114 “Jailed Over A Turn Signal”
- Video Shows Portland Police Officer Punch Man Strapped to Ambulance Stretcher
- Copsuckers Harass and Assault Man Peacefully Filming Cops
- Film The Police (FTP) Portland Photographer Threatened with Arrest at City Hall
- Oregon Sheriffs Use Fire Hose on Suicidal Suspect
- Independent Media Being Targeted at Recent Police Brutality Protests
- Mayor of Waterloo Oregon Smashes Homeless Advocate’s Camera
- Portland Police Assault And Falsely Arrest Film The Police Portland (FTP PDX) Videographers
- Road Pirates Want to Steal Your Booty
- Mike BlueHair Returning to Ferguson to Ensure Truth is Captured
- Department of Homeland Security in Portland Harasses and Violates the Rights of Homeless