No, this is pub- This is public property. And the reason I came back here is cuz someone followed me and came and took a picture of my license plate when I left here. Just because of a camera and their legal right to film, these citizens became the target of what many consider to be abuses of power by the police. One of the officers just told me to when I pulled over there cuz I didn't want to go past that sign. >> Yeah, you can't But I can take I can take pictures and video. You don't want to talk to me. We're talking now. It's not It's not Great thought of you standing right next to the gate of police lot, secure facility. Very suspicious. When constitutional rights are challenged on camera, the legal consequences can come faster than many people expect. A cameraman appears in an area that is considered public property. Everything seems normal at first until a small detail makes him suspect that someone might be quietly watching him. And just a few minutes later, the situation suddenly takes a turn that no one expected. Oh, sorry. Oh. Thank you. Appreciate it. All right. You can record me. Uh, then I'll record just people. This seems rude. What do you got there on video? YouTube. Oh, YouTube? >> Yeah. You're making some easy money, then? Mhm. It's not doing really easy, to be honest. You're a cop block at work. Yeah, I'm not I'm not cop block. I'm independent. Okay. After noticing that someone had taken a photo of his license plate, the cameraman began to feel that something wasn't right. He returned to the back area of the building to find out what was going on, but just minutes later an officer appeared and started questioning why he was there. Hello. >> Hello. How's it going? How are you doing? >> I'm good, thank you. It's nice back here. This car followed me and took a picture of my license plate. I'm pretty sure it was this car. >> The cameraman repeatedly insists that he is standing on public property and has the right to film, while the officer demands that he leave the area immediately. And then, just seconds later, the situation suddenly escalates when the officer moves closer and begins issuing direct commands. I can video anywhere here, and the guy told me to park right there. Okay, well, come here and let me show you something. What? Just tell me what it is. I don't need to follow you. I read that, and the guy told me I could park right there, and I can video anywhere here. No, this is public This is public property, and the reason I came back here is cuz someone followed me and came and took a picture of my license plate when I left here. This is public property. I have a First Amendment right to video and photograph to video leave this property, ma'am. I I have a First Amendment right to be here, like I can walk in the lobby. >> You have no right to be out front. >> Someone told me I could You need to quit. Why are you getting so close to me? Why are you I'm backing up from you. Okay. I'm trying to get you to back up that way. I can walk anywhere on here. It's a First Amendment right. Yeah, I can. And I parked here with permission. Someone told me to. When I didn't pass that sign. >> wrong. It was an officer. Was it you told me I could park there? One of the officers just told me to when I pulled over there, cuz I didn't want to go past that sign. But I can take I can take pictures and video. Yeah, all on this property I can. I can go in the lobby and do it, and I can do it right here. And I can take video of you. >> do it You can do it out there. I can do it anywhere on this property. >> No, you can't. >> Yes, I can. You need to walk that way. Uh uh this is a First Amendment right here. [music] No, it's not. >> also >> right is out there. >> No, it's not. No, it's not. Man, if you read the sign, it says "Do not enter." >> That That's a That's a request. That isn't That does not change my First Amendment right to video public property and walk on it. Now, if you don't want me parked there, I won't. But one officer told me to. Okay. I'll tell you you need to leave the premises. So, you need to move your car, move please. Okay, I'll move it right there. You need to quit, man. Why are you getting all up on me? Where's your vehicle? What? I I don't care where your vehicle is. I just need you to get it moved from Yeah, I'll I'll move my vehicle. But I'm going to video here all I want to. No, you're going to leave. The distance between them grows smaller, and the tension rises with every passing second. But what truly changes the situation happens moments later, when an unexpected action from the officer turns the argument into something more than just words. That That's Arkansas code, Little Rock uh police. You have general order 19, which says I can do this. But the most important thing is the First Amendment. You need to leave me alone. The First Amendment does not grant you the ability to go wherever you want. >> On public [music] property. That's what this is is public property. This area is restricted to authorized personnel. >> No, it's not. You can go out there. >> There is not. It is not. This is public property. Okay. Okay. You need to go that way. >> I'm going to walk around again. >> did. >> I'm going to do it again. No, you're not. You are screwing up, sir. Get your hands off of me. Don't walk where I told you not to. Arkansas code and Little Rock general order 19. Here, I got it in my pocket. Step back up on the curb, please. Tobler Tobler Tobler Step back up on the curb, please. >> Just stop it. Always want to give direct directives. Step Step back up on the curb, please. >> Stop it. You don't like being recorded? You're a public servant, aren't you? If you don't like it, walk away. What is the difference public recording of police activity? >> Yeah. Yeah, you can record police activity. >> Yeah, first amendment I can anywhere on public property. Look at the Arkansas code. 21-1-106. Look at it. You got a copy of that? You said you had a copy of it. >> Nope. This is the general order 19. And that's all you need cuz you [ __ ] up many policies already. No, I haven't. >> have. This is as far as you go. You need to go back up on the curb. You are not going to violate my first amendment right. And you You will not have qualified immunity if you keep on. I'm telling you, it won't work in your favor in the long run. The cameraman repeatedly cites laws and regulations to defend his rights, while the officer maintains a firm stance and continues issuing commands. And then, when the officer's identity begins to be publicly requested, the confrontation enters a new and even more tense phase. Dispatch units taking unknown trouble 8701 Colonel Glenn, 8701 Colonel Glenn. Yeah. What's your name and number, sir? Miller, 27107. Thank you. You're an arrogant, egotistical [ __ ] Thank you. All right. I appreciate it. I'll just be a minute. In the final moments of this video, the exchange between the two sides clearly reveals frustration, tension, [music] and even defiance. But, the real question remains, was this simply a misunderstanding between a citizen and a police officer, or yet another example of constitutional rights being challenged on public property? Up next, a man is simply standing outside what appears to be public property recording with his camera. But, in less than a minute, several police officers quickly approach him. Strangely enough, they even acknowledge that filming itself is not illegal. Hello. How are you? I'm doing good. How are you? I said, "How are you?" I'm doing good. How are you? All right. Um Can I have your name and badge number? What? Can I have your name and badge number? Say it again? Name and badge number. Officer Peterson. Okay. Officer Evans. >> Officer Evans. The only reason we're coming over to talk to you is that you were filming in the back lot. There is nothing illegal against that. We're just trying to figure out why. Just filming. Just filming. That's the only reason why? Okay. You got every right to. It's public space. Just we see that is odd and we just want to talk to you just to see what's going on over there. That's cool. That's >> There's there's there's nothing illegal about it. We just It's just odd behavior. That's all. I'm just saying if y'all Hey, y'all protect our constitutional rights and stuff. That's it. Yep. That's what we're here for. And I will protect you. >> You don't even have to ID yourself to us or anything like that. I appreciate that. And y'all some good cops. Came out just chilling, bro. That's it. Okay. Just walking back and forth. I might come back around and that's it. >> Okay. Sounds good. Have a good day, sir. I thank you. You guys too. Where we at? So, we are at Dearborn, people. Y'all know how Dearborn be on us. So, we got to come up here. Nice little pillars, big doors. See what Dearborn up to. See if they try to stop me doing my job. Uh. [ __ ] How you doing? After the initial conversation, everything seemed to be over. But just seconds after the cameraman started walking away, another officer suddenly approached. And that's when the real confrontation began. What started as a simple exchange quickly turned into a tense standoff right in front of the police facility gate. Hey, what's up, man? How are you? Somebody saw you out here and was concerned and wanted to help you. Do you need anything from us? No, I don't want to ask no questions. All right. Keep your hands out of your pockets for me, please. Thank you. Name and badge number? >> a police lot? Can I have your name and badge number? Yeah. Is there any reason why you're recording the lot, though? Can I have your name and badge number? For what purpose? Cuz you made contact with me. >> the police lot, so it's kind of suspicious. It's just It's just required by you to give me your name and badge number once you make contact. Name and badge number, okay. I'll get a supervisor here if you'd like. Would that be good for you? I just want your name and badge number. Hang on, I'll be right there. I'll be right with you, okay? >> [snorts] >> I don't want to answer no questions. I'm actually free to go, too. I'm not detained. By the way. You always got the right to remain silent, also. Before you get arrested. So, I guess he's calling a supervisor. At this point, the conversation begins to grow more tense as the officers keep asking questions while the cameraman firmly exercises his right to remain silent. When neither side can find common ground, a decision is made. They will call a supervisor to handle the situation. He didn't provide me a his name and badge number, though. If you notice that. Hey sir. Yes sir. I got a supervisor on the on the way. We'll we'll figure this out. Um but if you just keep your hands out of your pockets, that'd be great. A lot of a lot of danger comes from pockets and I don't want any of that, okay? Hey, not having a mask either. So what? I said a lot of danger coming from not having a mask also. I got to got to be within 6 ft of you, sir. That's cool. I'm just saying for all of us. For all of us. All right. Appreciate it. No problem. No problem. I'm going to tell you to my boss when he All right. You can't really approach nobody and say you know, hands take your hands out of your pockets and all that [ __ ] Not in my not in my hat. So you want me to just wait here? I got a supervisor on the way. I'm not being detained though. All right. While you're here, you don't want to talk to me. We're talking now. It's not it's not right though to be standing right next to the the gate of police lot at your facility. It's very suspicious, especially to stand there and be recording for no reason. It is right though. What what's the reason though? It is right though. What though? I said it is right though. You can't say it's While waiting for the supervisor to arrive, the atmosphere remains tense. The officers continue watching and giving reminders while the cameraman firmly insists on his rights. And just a few minutes later, the person they've been waiting for finally arrives. Is there a purpose though? I'd rather not say. Okay. Oh. This is the sergeant. All right. Well, if you don't have a purpose then there's no way I guess I can help you, but it just doesn't look good, you know, standing out here. I mean, uh any way you can help me is, you know, protect my constitutional rights. What are those? Can you explain that to me? You should supposed to know that, bro. >> That's That's vague though. Yeah, no, no, no. >> of constitutional rights. What What >> I mean, there might be a lot. Yeah. But you got to look at the ones you got to weigh out You got to weigh out the ones that I'm that I'm using now. >> Huh? I'm not going to recite the constitution. You don't have to. Well, if you can be more specific. But if I break a specific law, you know what law I'm breaking. What law What law would that be? Just just in case if if I was. >> government property? Is this government property? I'm just asking. What's the law? Yeah. All right. You say, "Is this government property?" This is public property. One, two, three. I don't think no. No, uh sergeant came up yet. Maybe that's him. Seems as if they're talking amongst themselves. I don't got to stand out there. After the sergeant arrives, the conversation begins to take a different direction. The questions are still being asked, but this time the tone is noticeably less tense. However, the cameraman's responses still keep the situation from ending right away. How you doing? How you doing? Can I have your name and badge number? Yep, Sergeant Cassidy, 483. Can I have your name and badge number? Uh Officer Yates, 556. All right. All right. Is there something we can help you with, sir? No. Okay. You're more than welcome to do whatever it is you got to do as far as your filming, but I'm asking you not to stand in the street or go inside this gate. That gate right there? Those are the two things I'm asking you not to do. Those are the two two things that wasn't done. Okay. Well, you were just in the street. So, from here on out do whatever it is you got to do, stay out of the street, and don't go in the gate. Cool. >> I ask of you. Cool. >> sir? I don't want to give it. Okay. How did How did you get here today? How did you get here, sir? Did you walk? Okay, so don't do those don't do those two things and you'll be all good, all right? Is there anything else? All right. Have a good day. And that's how you do those first amendment audits, guys. No handcuffs, no charges, but one question still lingers for many viewers. If there hadn't been a camera there, would things have ended the same way? Citizens [music] may file a lawsuit against police under Section 1983 when their rights are violated. Officers who violate those rights could face financial liability, [music] disciplinary action, or even termination. When citizens' rights are respected and authority is exercised responsibly, society can truly function on a foundation of justice and [music] trust. Hey everyone, what do you think about this situation? If you enjoyed the video, don't forget to like, subscribe, and support us with a donation. Thank you so much. >> [music]