You've got an option. >> I'm not a threat to anybody in this building, sir. >> sir? You told me >> Can I get your name, sir? >> No, you're not. You're not using my name. >> I'm sorry. >> You can't film in this facility because we have people who addresses and personal information up here and you can't film. >> Just one camera raised inside City Hall and this man was immediately pulled into a suffocating confrontation with police. But what the camera captured afterward may have completely turned the entire situation upside down. I like to make sure everything is on the up and up cuz I don't want any Yeah, that's why I just like the incident number. >> any ID on you by any chance? >> No, no, no. I don't give ID. I don't give ID. >> Okay. >> They want to arrest you for trespassing. If we ask you to leave, we can issue a ticket for trespassing and an arrest for trespassing. >> Just for refusing to show ID when he hadn't broken any law, this man was pressured by multiple officers right inside a federal post office. But what happened next left police facing intense legal controversy. Just for walking into City Hall with a camera, this man was immediately confronted by multiple employees trying to block him and force him to leave. But the more he questioned the actual authority behind those rules, the more awkward and suspicious the officials' reactions became. Hi, ma'am. How are you? >> How are you? >> Hi. I'm sorry, who are you? Yeah, he's with me, actually. I'm not with him. He's with me. >> From our standpoint, you're with me. >> Uh-huh. He's with me. >> You can't go in there. >> Why not? >> Cuz you can't I'm sorry, you can't go in here. >> This is a public This is >> I'm sorry, you've got an option. You can either go in here or you have to leave. >> But this is a public This is a public room. >> an option. >> Do you have a supervisor I can speak with? >> I do. She's She's a >> You're a supervisor? [music] >> Yeah. >> So, do you do you normally keep people out of a public area like this is a >> It's not a public area. It's used for >> Council cha- Council meeting is not a public area. Well, just with all the respect. I mean it is a public it's a council city council chamber of the meeting room. Yeah, well no, I'm just going to take a look around and what happened what's the big deal about that? You're you're with me. Oh, yeah, you sure can. I want to know who you are first though. Hi, my name is Shawn. I'm an independent journalist. I'm working on a story on the city of Annapolis. So, you know, security and you Susie trying to keep me out of publicly accessible areas that I'm trying to work on a story of your city. You're not really painting your city in the best of light. Yeah. Yeah. >> [music] >> Constitution man. So, I'm not going to get into further debate with you. Yes. Why [music] why do why do I have to leave the building? I have I have not only do I have constitution why are you being like that? Calm down. You're not I'm not a threat to anybody in this building. I'm not a threat to anybody in this building, sir. Can I get your name, sir? I want I want to get your name so I know who I spoke with. I don't What What What inauguration? I don't know what you're talking about. Sir, don't you raise your voice at me, please. Yeah, and I'm a tax payer that funds this building. What are the You're not even showing me the rules. You can't make up rules. Yes, I Yes, I can. Yes, I can. I can go into any any publicly accessible area. I'm already in the building, sir. Under what authority? I don't know who you are. Who But who are you? But can I know who you are that you have authority? Sir, why are you Why are you Why are you acting like this, sir? But why? I I still have to go to the city clerk. Yes, I am. Yes, I am. Yes, I am. I will be going to see the city clerk. I have an open records request to conduct. Okay, I'll go I can I'll take I'll take >> As the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, [music] the arrival of police made many think the situation was finally about to end. But just minutes later, the exchanges caught on camera only made the entire situation [music] more awkward and controversial than ever. >> How you doing today? I didn't I didn't call. Hi, sir. Hi, how are you? Sure, no problem. No problem. Sure. I already got all my shots upstairs anyway. Can I just get your name and badge number, sir? >> Sure. >> Oh, sure. No problem. >> So my name is Spriggs and my badge number is right there as well. Spriggs. >> Right there? >> Yes, sir. >> Spriggs, is that And the badge number is 304307. Okay, Officer Spriggs. Um Yeah, so I don't I don't understand on what authority they're telling me to leave the building. I'm an independent journalist. I'm exercising my freedom of press right. I'm not being >> [music] >> There's cameras all over this building. I'm not I'm not being rude to anybody. They've been yelling at me telling me, you know, you can't be here. I actually have official business here to conduct as well besides gathering my content, freedom of press. I've been very cordial. I just want to get the architecture of the building and I disseminate that I disseminate that information to the public. It's very simple. I don't want to be told when I need to leave a public building. This building's open to the public, sir. I'm following the rules of the building. >> Actually, there's a state of emergency declared by the city. So some city building some city offices are closed. Most of them are. >> But not this one or else I wouldn't be able to get in. >> Okay. >> Right? >> Is there someone you want to see? I guess is the question. >> Well, I I want to see the city clerk, but at first I wanted to get all the architecture of the building. >> So have you sent a request in for that? >> To see the city clerk? >> To see the architectural stuff? >> No, I I'm I just walk around. It's very simple. I just walk around and grab the architecture the the the You know, there's a charter upstairs that I saw that I was looking at. >> Inside council chambers? >> No, no, no. Not in council >> Okay. >> In general, there's a charter upstairs that I was looking at for Annapolis, different historical um pieces that you have on the wall with historical value to them. >> The argument seemed to be cooling down until police began issuing a series of unreasonable demands, treating the man as if he had committed something serious. [music] The question now was, were the officers truly acting within their authority or was the situation starting [music] to cross the line? >> Yeah, can you get me the incident number for this for this call? >> Sure, once we're done. >> Sure, okay, cool. So, I mean, I would just like to go about my business and then I would like that incident number cuz I would like to look up you know, why people have called you, why did they call you, for what reason? So, I can look up the 911 call radio transmissions between you and anybody. I like to make sure everything is on the up and up cuz I don't want any Yeah, that's why I just like the incident number. >> any ID on you by any chance? >> No, no, no, I don't give ID. I don't give ID. >> I'm not asking you to give me your ID. I'm asking you do you have identification? >> Oh, no, I don't even have it on me. >> You don't carry a driver's license? >> No, no. >> You don't carry a state identification card? >> No. >> Are you a resident of the state of Maryland? >> I I don't I don't answer any personal questions, sir. >> Are you a resident of the state of Maryland? >> I don't even I don't answer any personal questions, sir. >> So, is there any way for me to prove who you are? That's my question. >> What What What do you mean What do you mean by that? >> Time out. At this point, I'm trying to identify you. >> As the tension continued [music] to build, the arrival of two more officers instantly changed the atmosphere inside the building. But no one expected that after just a few exchanges, [music] the entire situation would suddenly turn upside down. >> Yes, for sure. >> Hey, how are you? >> Mr. Reyes. >> Good. How you guys doing? >> All right. >> Hey, New York. There we go. How you doing? >> I mine. >> Oh, man, I thought you said only three. You McQueen McQueen said that. McQueen said that. So, I'm just doing All I'm trying to do is film here. I've been very cordial with everybody. >> He's a first amendment auditor guy. >> He is. And I just I didn't know who you were, so that's why I asked you. >> But I But I told you. There you go. Now you know who I am. Now you know who I I wouldn't say movie star. I got I I upgraded. You see it? We the people. >> How you been? >> Good. How are you, man? Everything's good with you? >> Yeah, man. I can't I can't can't >> What's the chances that you came down here? You heard You heard it on the radio and you were like, "I got to come." Didn't you? >> No, they said we got it as a They didn't say who it was. They got it as a Just someone trying to get in the chambers. >> Oh, yeah, no. That wasn't That That wasn't a good in the public chambers. Yeah, man, but if I could get the incident call for this >> Mr. Race is just trying to walk around city hall, look at stuff, and film it. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. >> Yeah. That's all we can >> We're filming >> And And I'm going to And I'm going to show it And I'm going to show it to more than three people, I promise you. >> Is anyone here or not? >> Uh city What do you mean? >> No, like was there any Were you able to >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. Somebody Somebody helped me with my request. >> Oh, cool. >> In the end, no one was arrested, but what the cameras captured left many people questioning the line between doing the job and abusing authority. Next, just minutes after walking into the federal post office, this man caused the female supervisor's attitude to shift repeatedly. And then, one unexpected move from her instantly made the atmosphere intensely tense. >> I'm sorry. >> Can I help you? >> Um probably in a few moments, not at the moment. >> film in federal facility. >> I'm sorry? >> You can't film in this facility because we have people's addresses and personal information up here, and you can't film. >> Well, I I understand that you guys might have some personal, but we we are allowed to do this. I'm pretty sure. >> No, you're pretty sure you're not. >> I'm And this is a >> This is a federal facility. It's not state. It's private. So, I'm going to have to ask you either to stop filming, or I have to ask ask you to leave. >> So, what Like after I'm done getting all my footage that I need post office, then I'll definitely leave, but >> this either I you stop filming, >> Are you the postmaster? >> I'm a supervisor. >> Supervisor, okay. So, >> So, I have to ask you to either turn it off, >> Well, I would Like I said, after I'm done, I definitely I have to ask you to either turn it off >> All right, so you must be the super- I mean the postmaster. >> No, what I am is I'm a clerk that knows that have it right here that says that you have to >> I have to ask you or I'm going to have to call the police. Well, I don't think that the police is necessary. I don't >> Then I would have to ask you to turn it off, leave. >> And I was just all I was doing is just filming the stuff that's in the lobbies right here. >> It's people's personal information. What if it's someone's letter here? What if it was yours? >> Well, that's what that's just the thing. If If If it's something that's something in like private and it's in public, you guys have to protect it. >> I'm asking you >> This isn't for YouTube or anything else. You have to listen. >> So, ma'am, so So, first of all, we have to film in public and then I have to purchase a stamp and fill out a passport. So, I got to It's It's several things that I need to do. >> So, if you need to do >> Either you can stop filming >> Oh, so you're asking? Okay, I I understand. I I respectfully decline. >> Okay, then I'll I'll have to call the police. >> Well, that's unnecessary though. I don't >> It is It's one or the other. I'm giving you the option. >> I mean, which >> Either you can stop filming, take care of the whatever you have to take care of, or I'm going to have to ask you to leave. >> Okay, yeah. Like I said, when I'm done >> Okay, then I'll I'll call the police. >> Yeah, I think that's unnecessary, but uh She said it's uh >> After the tense phone call earlier, police finally arrived on scene. But things quickly became unpredictable when one unexpected [music] demand from an officer pushed the conversation into highly controversial territory. >> How you doing, officer? Man, pretty good, bro. Uh nothing nothing's really going on. I was trying to educate everyone here that we had a right to do exactly what we was doing. >> Okay. >> Uh but they're not interested, man. So, they called you guys. >> Are you I mean >> Um Is Is it So, is it officer officer >> Captain Smith. >> Captain Smith. Okay. Your badge number, sir? >> 96 >> Appreciate it. >> So, you just came in here just to prove a point or like something happened next you had to start recording? >> So, so nothing actually happened. I just came actually when the when the lady right here at the counter when she first encountered me, I was filming like the Mother's Day gift cards right here and then she just came out of nowhere like, "You can't do it. You just can't do it." And she ran and got a manager and the manager came out and tried to say the same thing, but I was trying to explain to him that we can and I was asking for a postmaster that someone of a higher authority may know and they said she was in a meeting, but it looked like she came out. So, I'm not I'm not entirely sure. They are not sure, so >> Okay. I mean, is there anything that we can help resolve the situation where everybody can just, you know, walk away >> Yeah. Yeah, so so Yeah, for sure. So, what would be great is is if you guys can educate them that what we're doing is constitutionally protected and we've that that should suffice. That that'd be beautiful. >> Okay. Uh you mind if I get your information, sir? >> I just want to remain No, I just want to remain anonymous. >> Well, I mean, you know, I made contact with you. >> I understand. >> I I got to get your information. >> Well, well, minus a crime, there's no legal obligation for me to >> I made contact, so so that's the main reason why >> I I can I can understand. I can understand. >> That's all I'm That's all I'm saying is that I made contact with you and you know, you're still, you know, I mean, did she deny you service? Did she say that you couldn't buy the postcards? >> Oh, no, she didn't she never said that. She was just basically saying in order to serve me, I would have to cut off my camera, which would be a definite violation of my rights if I have to surrender those rights in order to get services, so >> Okay. Well, listen, listen, man. I just want you to be able to go and get your card and, you know, go about your day like, you know, sounds innocent enough. Um I still need to speak with her, but >> Yeah, like I said, the postmaster >> Just like how you asked for my information, I >> I understand what you're saying, but it's per your policy to identify yourself. >> Well, no, no, listen. What I'm saying is is that I may >> When the request for ID was refused, the officer suddenly began issuing tense warnings, [music] even suggesting the man could face criminal charges. But the real question was, was this law enforcement doing its job, or had the situation already gone too far? Yeah, I know. And I will once I'm done conducting the business that I need to conduct here. >> Here's the next problem. Like I told your supervisor, >> Mhm. >> I'm saying you're refusing to leave, you're going to get arrested for criminal trespassing. >> So, I'm on federal property, and you're and you're a county officer. So, you guys have jurisdiction. >> I'm a federal law enforcement officer. >> Right. So, but you're but you're not a federal officer. The appropriate authorities would be >> me to call a postal inspector? >> No, you you don't even know what's going on, sir. You come in here right away trying to escalate. >> He's saying that he came in here and I haven't had a chance to speak with him yet. I I I had to confront him >> If you look right there on that wall, >> He came in here to try and purchase a Mother's Day card or something. >> Well, well, well, what >> What what what wasn't that what it was? >> A stamp and a passport. >> Okay, you want to Okay, I thought you said money. Okay, so he came in here to get his stamp and passport and >> While recording. There you go. >> You while recording. >> For sure. >> So, you're saying wait wait wait, let me I just want to make sure I get this straight. >> Mhm. >> So, you came in I thought you said you were like coming in here to purchase something or conduct some business. >> So, it was three things. So, the first thing I wanted to do is record in public, and purchase a stamp, and fill out a passport. But but what I what I forgot to tell you is, officer, if you look right there on the rules and regulations on federal property, it tells them that we can record in the post office. So, that's a that's that's another thing. >> Okay. So, you came in here to conduct some business and you wanted to record the business that you were conducting. >> That's correct. >> Let me take a picture, let me look let me show you what I'm doing here. >> Correct. >> I mean, he just came in here recording and to record your business. >> That's correct. So, I'm an independent journalist and we and I'm gathering content for a story that I'm creating. That's the reason why we're in here recording. But again, if you look at the rules and regulations on federal property, it says that we can do it anyway. So, you really need you never need a reason to do anything that's a right. So >> So, so you're you're in here conducting business as part of some investigation or your journalism. Okay. >> Which is which is which is a right, so I mean, this officer comes in trying to escalate things, man. You know, he's he's talking about trespassing. >> You and I you and I are talking. >> I'm just saying. I'm saying he's coming in trying to escalate. I don't like that. I know exactly what I'm doing. It's ain't my first time doing it. And uh you know >> The more the argument continued, the more the officers seemed caught off guard by how well the man understood the law. But it wasn't until he calmly pointed toward the posted notice that the entire situation suddenly turned upside down. >> The reason why I don't want you recording there because there's personal information with credit cards, social security numbers, all that stuff that I don't want you recording inside that area. >> Okay, which we can. >> You can document this with your cell phone off. >> No, that's not what they say, sir. So, do you have If you're interested in reading this or not? >> That is coming from the postmaster. >> Yeah, she doesn't she doesn't We're talking about the law, sir. She's talking about feelings. And you guys are law enforcement, not feelings enforcement. >> No, sir. >> Okay, so the rules are right here. Officer, can you It seems like you might be more willing to because this guy trying to escalate things. I can tell. >> he's not. >> If you if you see right there, it'll tell you everything you need to know. >> Okay. So, it's saying foyers, hallways >> lobbies >> Okay, lobbies. Now now, but once you pass that area right there, people are giving their personal information. >> That's correct. >> That's most more than likely not happening out here, okay? Unless you just standing right over somebody, okay? Also, it says right here that other photographs may be taken only with the permission of the local postmaster or >> That's fine. >> Also, it says right here by a you're prohibited from recording where official [clears throat] signs or security personnel or other authorized personnel or federal court order or rule. >> So, that's talking about auditoriums. >> So, what I'm saying what I'm saying >> I'm going to listen to you, Arthur, and then you're going to listen to me. >> So, what I'm saying is that the main point is look, they don't want you recording them. People have their rights to, okay? They don't want to be recorded. They don't want you all looking around them doing stuff. They have their right to privacy, okay? I get what you're doing here, okay? And I understand that, but now it's causing it's causing a bigger issue than what it needs to be. >> Okay, so >> That's all I'm saying. So, from the standpoint of if you're up in here doing for example this is you're doing something for a journalism, you're being a professional. I asked you for your identification, okay? >> That's correct. >> Why? Because I'm going to get their identification. I'm going to know they are who I made contact with. I'm getting your identification because I need to know who I made contact with, okay? >> Yeah. >> The moment the officer stood there rereading the posted regulations right in front of them, everyone thought the confrontation was finally over. But instead of backing down, one officer pushed forward with another highly questionable argument, leaving the man laughing at how the law was seemingly being twisted right there on the spot. >> He's calling >> Okay, great. >> Here's the deal, dude. >> We got a sergeant coming, right? We we spoke we speak with him. >> He's a he's going to tell you the same thing I'm going to tell you right now. >> Okay. >> He don't care about the recording, but they do. >> Okay. >> We can arrest you for trespassing. If we ask you to leave, we can issue a ticket for trespassing and then arrest >> Sir, you cannot trespass me. >> She can't trespass you. I can. >> She can't trespass me if I have official business here, sir. >> She said you're not doing fine anymore. >> Yeah, because I wasn't allowed to, sir. Do you get that? She called you guys. I waited for you guys to get here to have a dialogue. >> Sign whatever. I don't care if he doesn't to himself. >> Yeah, I don't have to. That's what I'm saying. And I'm just saying. >> buying a passport, you have to identify yourself. >> We're not buying a passport, just filling out the application. I can't even do that. >> Just as the confrontation was reaching its peak, a sergeant suddenly arrived on scene, making the atmosphere even more tense. But only minutes later, [music] police made a decision that left many people seriously questioning what was going on. >> All right, man. I don't know what your name is, but what's your first name? >> Just write your remaining anonymous, man. >> You want to remain anonymous? >> Yeah. Just put the camera >> All right, here's what we're doing. They got to go through like six layers of red tape to decide whether they want to sign complaints against you. So we're going to leave. >> Okay. >> You're free to go in there and do your business. I don't see anybody [clears throat] rushing you to get out of here. As a matter of fact, we've sat here and waited for them to call me and for me to show up. You've been here for what? Half hour? >> It's probably about 30, would you say? >> see anybody rushing you out the door. >> No, they were. They were trying to, though. >> So as and then they compromised and said, "Hey, you're free to come in here as long as there's no customers and you're not violating their privacy." This is just like a bank. People have personal information whatever. >> Right. >> Yeah. It's a federal law that you can't do it. If postal inspector wants something about you recording in here >> You said it's a federal law that I can't do it? >> Yeah, but I'm not an FBI agent. So >> [laughter] >> That's telling you right there that we can't. Officer Tess just read it. So that's that's not That's not true. >> an issue they said in that area, though, due to people's >> personal information. >> Cuz like So I haven't gone in there yet. I know what the post office by my house so they got a big sign up that says you can't have your camera out and have to be on your phone. So I'm assuming it's in there, too. Maybe not. >> No, of course not. >> But if they refuse you service, you are obligated to leave. But they can't make a decision on what they want to do about that right now. So we're going to leave. >> Okay. Well, I'm just saying, my thing >> you're free to do your business in there. >> All right, I know I am. I know. >> You keep your cool, buddy, cuz I don't want to come back. >> Well, I mean, if they call you back, then it'll be them wasting you guys' resources. If you come back and you That's just on you. >> After a series of heated arguments, the officers were ultimately forced to leave in an awkward silence, leaving behind serious questions about how authority had been exercised at the scene. Citizens can sue [music] police under Section 1983 when their rights are violated. Officers who violate [music] those rights may face compensation payouts, disciplinary action, or even termination. In any situation, the law must be enforced with understanding, respect, and fairness. Because when authority crosses the limits [music] of the law, what gets damaged is not only citizens' rights, but also society's trust in justice itself. 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]