One thing that all journalists know is that people doing things in public places are fair game. The Portland Police Bureau has been using cameras to live-stream the protests around the federal courthouse there, but protesters do not like to be caught on camera (even though they live-stream themselves sawing through fencing and setting fires), and apparently a state law would prohibit the police from streaming video from those cameras.
.@ACLU_OR sues @PortlandPolice for live-streaming violent protests and riots.
PPB videos are often the only cameras that capture discreet assaults on police that are otherwise denied by the media and local politicians. #antifa #PortlandRiots https://t.co/6VY3BFPsbP
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 29, 2020
The ACLU contends the bureau’s practice of filming and broadcasting protesters violates state law that prohibits police from collecting or maintaining information about the political, religious or social views, associations or activities of people who are not suspected of criminal activity.
The police livestream zooms in on individual faces, making protesters vulnerable to face surveillance technology, the civil rights agency contends.
Again, we’re no lawyers, but surveillance cameras capture a lot of people who are not suspected of criminal activity, and again, if you’re out in public protesting, you’re pretty much giving your consent to appear on camera. The ACLU seems most concerned that “federal agents and others can analyze” the video when it’s being live-streamed.
Isn't this what the @ACLU all about? Don't they want transparency on what the police do?
— טראבל מעיקער (@TroubleMacher) July 29, 2020
Yeah I don’t understand this at all. You can’t have it both ways – either everyone has a right to film or no one does
— Failninja (@failninjaninja) July 29, 2020
The @ACLU has been hijacked by people who no longer even pretend to believe in "civil liberties". They're all about censorship and forced conformity now.
— Dangerous Danishova (@Danishova) July 29, 2020
Yes, by all means….let’s protect the identity of domestic terrorists
— DannyBoy (@Gambling_Dan_21) July 29, 2020
I really cannot anymore.
— ℤ?ℕ? (@ZaNY_v2) July 29, 2020
People do not have an expectation of privacy in public.
— BǝɐrKinפ (@BearKingatLaw) July 29, 2020
Apparently the police are not abusing their authority and using excessive force or the ACLU would love to have these videos. Clearly it's only showing Antifa and BLM people breaking the laws.
— ßlair Anton®️ (@blairantonshow) July 29, 2020
Logically, one would think that they'd be in favor of the cameras. So they could catch all the wrong doings by the police and see how they are being treated. Unless….
— Tanner Rindels (@trindels23) July 29, 2020
Weren't they also pushing police being mandated to wear body cams not too long ago? Wonder what's changed. ?
— R C (@chancewithrance) July 30, 2020
With the live stream it makes it harder for them to make up accusations against the police. That is the reason for the suit.
— DaKon (@TheDaKon) July 29, 2020
And here I was thinking transparency was a good thing.
— Shaughn_A (@Shaughn_A2) July 29, 2020
I stopped supporting the @ACLU when they started picking and choosing whose rights they defended. They have been infiltrated. Be consistent, be better.
— Nil (@esionerocs) July 29, 2020
They don't have a case.
— Eat my art (@danjdob) July 29, 2020
Of course they don’t want to be recognized. 15 years in prison for inciting a riot will not be pleasant for them.
— RVA_Winner (@RVA_Winner) July 29, 2020
Following their logic, ALL security cameras would be illegal, as well as satellite and drone surveillance
— Coming Soon to a Grand Jury Near You⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (@NvrRyan) July 29, 2020
How does this make sense? Wouldn't every security camera fall under this argument too?
— LivingLifeWithLiberty (@LivingOnLiberty) July 30, 2020
Without surveillance cameras, Chicago police would never have captured the white Trump supporters who tried to lynch Jussie Smollet.
Has anyone ever sued the ACLU for bringing false suits? Maybe it’s time to put them and the SPLC on the defensive for a change. Make them spend their money fighting for themselves and stop the frivolous lawsuits they keep bringing.
— Malcolm Ray (@MR_2A_Hillbilly) July 29, 2020
I’d like body cameras as a required item to riot.
— Articulated and Matriculated (@SPUD19217063) July 30, 2020
Related:
Too good to check: Portland rioter identified from review his grandmother left of the vest she bought for him https://t.co/UwPVHSmAyn
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) July 29, 2020
Join the conversation as a VIP Member