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Post by avordvet on Aug 27, 2011 16:42:14 GMT -5
First Circuit Affirms Right to Record the PolicePosted by David Rittgers Right to Record, a website devoted to the legal aspects of recording police officers, has the scoop. A panel of the First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the right of citizens to openly record police officers. Gathering information about government officials in a form that can readily be disseminated to others serves a cardinal First Amendment interest in protecting and promoting “the free discussion of governmental affairs.” Moreover, as the Court has noted, “[f]reedom of expression has particular significance with respect to government because ‘t is here that the state has a special incentive to repress opposition and often wields a more effective power of suppression.’” This is particularly true of law enforcement officials, who are granted substantial discretion that may be misused to deprive individuals of their liberties. Ensuring the public’s right to gather information about their officials not only aids in the uncovering of abuses, but also may have a salutary effect on the functioning of government more generally.
Read the whole thing. It provides a great discussion of the developing legal landscape, as well as some juicy details — like the fact that the attorney defending the statute for Massachusetts wrote her student note about how the Massachusetts wiretapping law is unconstitutional...
www.cato-at-liberty.org/first-circuit-affirms-right-to-record-the-police/
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Post by brocktownsend on Aug 27, 2011 18:26:11 GMT -5
Good deal and posted.
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Post by avordvet on Aug 28, 2011 9:40:49 GMT -5
Passed article to my network...
This is a great victory for the Republic! Too long have Police and other Government Officials attempted to suppress information/evidence on their behavior. Even though "WE the People" are their employers, they have attempted make the challenging and/or recording of their behavior illegal, this ruling rips away that self-authorized "protection".
Public officials must be held to a higher standard, they are entrusted with powers that can deprive an American Citizen of their Constitutional protections and pass laws and regulations that are supposed to be enforced evenly. That has not been the case, but the tide is turning thanks to citizens willing to step forward, take a stand, and change the status quo,
Be one of those people that help to restore our Republic's foundations, challenge the injustices around you, help to repeal onerous laws and regulations that restrict your Natural Rights and Liberties...
Resist
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