people that were illegally taking pictures of things they're not supposed to do about a federal installation. Illegally taking pictures about of things they're not supposed to at a federal installation. We had the FBI here last week for that. >> Um I take pictures of signs and stuff. It's I know it's a crazy hobby, but people take pictures of birds. People take pictures of other stuff. That's all I do. Just taking pictures of signs. >> No problem. >> There are some cops who don't protect the law. They twist it to control the people. An abuse of power can start with just one sentence. Show me your ID. that you're not wanted or anything. That's all we need to do. You got an ID on you? >> Oh, is that what this is about? You you want to violate my my fourth amendment right to >> You have an obligation to uh provide identification to the tape. >> Not out here on the street in Mississippi. >> When abuse of power is clearly caught on camera, what [music] awaits them afterward could be FOIA requests, internal investigations, and a lawsuit costly enough to make them pay a heavy price. After just a few minutes of filming, a police car rushes up, ordering the group to leave, and vague accusations start flying without a single specific law being cited. >> Yeah. Step back. >> Howdy. >> What's going on? >> Nothing I know of. >> Officer Weaver. >> Detective Weaver. I see you got a detective on there. >> All right. You guys need a big feet. Okay. >> I'm sorry. You guys need to go. >> You need to go. >> Yeah. >> Why? >> All this I I can't hear. You can step away from the road. I'll step back here. Just I can't hear what you're saying. >> Okay. Which one of you do do I want to talk to? >> I said you guys need to go. >> Okay. I need to I need to leave. Why? >> Yeah. >> No reason that I need to leave. Why are you videotaping the entrance of white? >> It's a historical site. It's a >> historical site. >> Yes, sir. >> You want to videotape a historical site? >> Well, yeah. I mean, it's >> How long have you been out here? >> I don't know. 8 minutes. >> You got video. Anything changed in the last 8 minutes? >> Uh, [music] from where I started out over at the visitor center to here? Yeah, a lot has changed. I've got three [music] police cars here telling me I got to leave. >> Oh, wow. >> That's a big change for me. I mean, >> really? >> It is. I mean, it's a historical site. >> Are you with him, ma'am? Are you with him? >> Huh? >> So, you're here doing a tour? Is that it? >> Okay. >> We did Do we do something wrong? We break the law. >> Uh, well, taking pictures and stuff. >> Okay. Well, nobody ever sits here and takes pictures. >> Sergeant Russ, get their ID and check them out. >> Yeah, we'll start with that. ID. >> Okay. >> After approaching and ordering the citizen to leave, instead of citing any specific law, they steer the conversation toward controlling the person filming. But it doesn't stop there. Police escalate even further, bringing up the FBI and warning about filming things you're not supposed to, turning what should have been a simple interaction into a full-blown tense confrontation. >> Oh, have I done something wrong? >> There. Uh, we did have the FBI here last week for people that were illegally taking pictures of things they're not supposed to do about a federal installation. >> Illegally taking pictures >> about of things they're not federal installation. We had the FBI here last week for that. For sure. If you go if you go on if you go onto that property, >> they have the right to to limit your photo. Tennessee Tennessee is not a stop and ID state. >> Okay. >> But if you're suspected of a crime, >> you have your ID on you. >> What crime do you suspect me of committing? >> We don't know what you >> Okay. Public photography is not a crime. Anything I can see from a public space, I can photograph. There's no crime there. >> Who owns this land? >> This is public rideway. >> This this grass right here. >> This is a public rideway. >> This grass is public rideway. You know for a fact cuz I'm pretty sure Y12 bought this last year. Okay, >> which is why we don't allow people to protest here. So you could be trespassing on private property. >> Again, this is a public roadway. >> Do you You're not on the road, though. I >> I stepped off the roadway to engage you because when this guy rolled up, he almost hit it. >> So you were walking in the roadway, which is a crime intensity. You can't be >> walking in the roadway. We're not walking. >> So you were standing in the roadway or standing on ground. >> What What are you doing? You going to trespass us? You're going to tell me I can't be here. >> So if you're not if you're on W2's property, it's up to them to >> Officer Sweden. Okay. >> That's the thing. And you understand that I have every right to be here >> if this is private property. No sir, you do not. >> 16 ft from the center line of the roadway is publicly accessible. >> They own that over there. There's public utilities here. >> That's why but that's why people don't protest here anymore. Just protest. So just like that fence right there. That's why you can't do 16 ft off of that roadway either. And Y12 called us, >> okay, >> out here. So it's not like we just happened upon you. We were called here. And again, I'm following the orders of my sergeant to identify you because yes, people were detained by the FBI last week for taking pictures of things they weren't supposed to. I don't know the circumstances of that, but that's why I'm asking to take pictures of. Is there something we're not allowed to take pictures of? >> Well, this is Well, you know, beyond this line, this is not open to the public. What's beyond that is that >> and we've not gone beyond that. >> Line right there that says when you pull up to that gate, you're not allowed in if you don't have a bad >> gate. Okay. But you're filming that gate. Okay. >> That makes them uncomfortable. Hi, >> sir. what we can. >> They keep bringing up a case from last week involving the FBI as a form of psychological pressure, making the person filming feel like they're under investigation, even though there's no concrete evidence of any wrongdoing. And just when it seems like the citizen might still keep their cool, one more sentence changes everything and sends the situation in a completely different direction. >> Who owns this property and my sergeant has asked me to identify? If you refuse to do so, that's your business. >> Okay? If you want to have the FBI come out here and do a field interview with me, you'll call them, tell them to get your ass. >> So, we're on the phone now to see to determine if we and there's no need to cuss me, sir. I'm just doing my job. I'm trying to be Cuz here's the thing. Guess what you just did? You just now used vulgar, profane, and indecent language of view of the public, which is her. She's part of the public, which is against city code. So, I don't care. It's my part. So, I'm going to need your ID for your citation anyway, sir. We're fully aware. >> I'm going to need your ID for your citation. Use the vulgar profane in language if you're the public. It's a city citation. It's not arrestable. I'm going to need your ID to issue a civil citation in city court. >> Okay. >> I'm officially asking for your ID to right citation. I'm not going to take you to jail for a city for a city violation. Okay. You're >> So, it's against city code 11-302 to use vulgar, profane, and indecent language to the public, which is what you just did. And I'm going to issue you a citation for that. So, I would like to see your ID so that I can >> You have no complaintant. And as a police officer, you were we were called here. Yes. >> You have no complaintant for for a disorderly conduct charge. >> No, I'm not. No, I'm not. You're a part of the public. >> You can't be a complainant. Okay. Officer ID as as you are in violation of city code 11-302 as a police officer and profane and decent language of view of the public. It's city code. I'm a municipal police officer from the city of Oakidge and I'm asking for your ID so that I can issue a citation or a warning for that statute. >> Okay. I'm not going to take you to jail for a civil statute. I can't. But I can issue a citation to give you a fine. So, I'm requesting your stateisssued ID, which I will remind you is not your property. It's actually property of the state of Tennessee. It's issued to you for identification purposes by law enforcement if there's a violation, which there has been. >> Okay. Am I being detained? >> Yes. >> All right. At this at this time, I'm going to revoke my right to remain silent. >> Okay, that's fine. >> You're not free to leave though until we find out what's going on. >> All right. >> He fires off a hard question. Am I being detained? And the answer that's guaranteed to make the internet explode is yes, but it doesn't end there. Something else is approaching fast. And that's when it really begins. >> Right. >> I want to answer more questions. >> Okay, that's fine. Uh, I'm going to give you a verbal warning for the vulgar profane language of view of the public. Uh, it is against city code 11-2 to do that. Uh, and I was trying to be professional with you and there was no reason to curse at me and I'm sorry that >> and I apologize for that. >> Okay. And I and I and I accept your apology and and I appreciate that, sir. All right. Uh, here's the thing. We're finding out who owns the land. We're going to go. Uh, as far as that goes, if someone does own the land and you are trespassing on it, you will be asked to leave because the whole so many feet off the roadway thing cuz right over there is a fence that beefs up right to the road line. >> Actually, it doesn't go quite to the road line. >> Well, then you can't cross the fence. I understand. That means that that means that they own that fence line. What's on the other side? >> Correct. Correct. They're grandfathered in. They're grandfathered in because they own the property before that statute came up. >> Be asked to leave. You will be told who owns the property. As far as I know, we're finding that out from the white personnel right now. As far as the rest of that goes, you are free to go. Uh, but just please, please don't cuss me when we're just trying to do our job because we were called here, okay? And people were detained by the FBI last week for taking pictures of stuff they weren't supposed to. And we don't know what you've taken pictures of. And we were called here. >> It was a curse to get you. We just said one word. Yes. But that's still But I don't appreciate that kind of language here. But but yes, but I don't appreciate that kind of lang. I'm being nothing but professional and trying to do my job. >> Okay. So, you want to know what we took pictures of? I'm going to help you. Sure. Everything I can see from right here, I can photograph and that is what I've taken pictures of. That's it. That's it. If they don't want me to take pictures of that sign, they need to put a wall around it. I mean, it's a historic site. I'm surprised you don't get more photographers out here. It's on the Photon Trail. I mean, >> Photon Trail. There's a sign right up the street here. It says Photon Trail. I mean, it's it's it's a historic site that has to do with uh World War II um when they built the the Little Big Boy bomb and all that stuff. It's all goes back to the start of the nuclear program in the United States and this was where it began basically. Um the >> Manhattan project. >> Yeah, the Manhattan project. >> So I mean I don't understand what their sensitivity is now. Of course if I go on their property I got it. I got it. >> Well, but at the same time someone was here last week. So you understand why I'd be a little on edge because that person was confirmed to be take those people actually were confirmed to be taking pictures of stuff they shouldn't have been with. >> Yeah. I mean >> I I can't really tell you that. That's my >> Well, that doesn't help me. That doesn't help me chat with you about it. As I say, if you indicate to me, >> probably why they're on a little on edge because of that. >> Yeah. >> If you indicate to something to me or they come out here and indicate something to me that they don't want photographed, >> you know, probably I won't photograph it. Okay. >> After the tension hits its peak, the officers suddenly change their tone. They say there will be no fine, only a verbal warning about the language used. But it raises a serious question. Between the freedom to record and the sensitivity of a highsecurity facility, where does the real legal line get drawn? Citizens may file a section 1,983 civil rights lawsuit when their rights are violated. Officers who break the law can face financial liability, discipline, or even termination. Up next, just for taking a few photos of signs on the fence, cops suddenly rush in like there's a major incident. Anyone would think it's a real raid, but the target is just one person holding a camera, bud. >> The sign on the fence over there, >> the sign on the fence over there >> about the commercial vehicles. I was getting a picture of that and then all these cops come running out like I don't know, like the SWAT team's coming or something. >> Oh yeah. >> Did they have an accident out here or something? >> No, just suspicious activity filming stuff like that. >> Oh, they're here cuz of me. >> Yeah, >> you're kidding, right? No, I promise you. >> No, >> I promise you. >> Oh, I guess they're looking at me. So maybe they are >> because it's suspicious activity. You see somebody filming the base, the military base. >> You have every right to do so. And you can fight all that, you know, get all crazy with it. But to them, they take that serious, you know, what's going on, but they can't come out here and question. >> Oh, okay. So, I'm okay. >> Yeah, you can do whatever you want. >> I fix to say the last thing I need is be hassled by the cops. >> No, it just draws attention. And that's they're doing their job, you know, protecting the area given the times we're in. So when something like that goes down, you know, they're going to be like, "Oh, what's this guy doing?" >> Okay. I like your I like your blazer. It's nice. >> My name's David. >> Nice to meet you. But that's what that's all about, man. So we don't want to hassle. >> Yeah. I don't think I'll be around here very long then. I don't I don't want no greed from them. >> That guy stopped and said that you guys were freaking out because of me. >> Yeah. You're video recording towards a naval installation. That's illegal. >> Well, it's not illegal, but I'm taking pictures of the signs. That's all I'm doing. >> Not allowed to take >> I I can't hear you. I can't hear you. >> Not allowed to take pictures of the base, sir. >> Please turn the camera off and exit. I don't know if where you came from. Go back wherever you came from, please. >> I'm not allowed to take pictures. >> No, sir. >> You're sure? >> Yes, sir. >> What law is that? >> That is law. You are not allowed to report photographs. >> Okay. Do we Do we want to stand here and scream back and forth or do you want to be civil? I'll walk over there. I just don't want to get arrested. If you give me permission to walk over there where I don't have to scream back and forth, we can Okay. Like I said, I don't want to get arrested for anything stupid. >> I'm just trying to inform you, sir. >> My body camera runs all the time. >> Okay. Well, it runs all the time. >> Well, right now installation property. You cannot have it on. What's the purpose? >> I'm trying to tell you. That's why I say I didn't realize you guys are going to freak out like this. I didn't know that guy stopped and told me, you know. So, that's why I came over here to help you out was just tell you what I'm doing. Okay. I'm taking pictures of signs on the fence. Okay. That's it. That's all I'm interested in >> for for it's a hobby. >> The police react as if they're dealing with a serious threat. What's crazy is he isn't causing any trouble. He keeps asking just one simple question. What law says I can't? And when he tries to calm things down by explaining politely, the situation starts drifting into an even more uncomfortable direction. >> Prohibits me from doing it. Federal law. >> You're not helping me. What federal law? Once you're on federal property, obviously you can't take pictures on on federal property without a letter from the >> right. I understand that. I understand that. >> Off base, you're quite all right. Do you mind if we get your name by any chance? >> You call My name's David. >> David, how you doing today? >> I'm a tourist. Don't get a piece of paper out cuz that's all I'm going to tell you cuz now y'all don't freak me out. >> What brings you around? Just >> I'm just a tourist. I I take pictures of signs. >> Star Wars. >> Sure. Um I take pictures of signs and stuff. It's I know it's a crazy hobby, but people take pictures of birds. People take pictures of other stuff. That's all I'm doing. Just taking pictures of signs. No problem. You know, we're just concerned about our bait. You know, >> I I understand. I I didn't think it was a big deal. >> On the city streets. Yeah. You can take pictures of whatever you want. When you do come on the federal property, which obviously you're across the street, we really can't do nothing. >> Well, I didn't need to be on this side of the street. There's no sidewalk. And I don't want to be that close to the signs. I don't get a good shot that way. >> But uh uh yeah, that guy stopped holding. You guys were freaking out cuz I was out here. That's why I came over here. >> Homeland security. You know how it is these days with everything going on. You can't be too safe. >> Well, and that's I came over here to put you at ease. That's all I'm doing. I have no ill intent. I'm not out here to harm anybody. Just picture to the signs and and that's it. That's it. And then he was telling me there's some federal law that says I can't take pictures of that stuff >> on federal property. I take pictures. >> Okay. Okay. >> On city property. I mean, there's not much we can do, but just asking for your name and why you're taking pictures. >> If you don't want to tell us, that's fine. >> I just I just told you that where we're at. We're >> I I do. That's why I came over here to to answer your question. You Okay. Which question did I not answer? I gave you my name. >> Okay. Okay. >> Okay. Said once you're on federal property though, you should understand we we could detain. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely. That's why we're not going to we're not going to get involved in all that. So, I'm going to be actually I don't see any other signs. Um these these other ones on the fence are pretty much the same all the way down the fence line. So, I mean, I'm going to probably be here another five or 10 minutes and I'll be gone. >> Can I ask you why you wanted to take pictures of the sign? >> It's just a hobby. >> Oh, just a hobby. I >> I know it sounds crazy, but you know, you got people take pictures of birds. So, I think that's crazy. It's it's it's just a hobby. I take pictures of signs. So, I I'm a tourist passing through. There's no naval bases where I am. So, you know, I just pop by here to get some quick pictures. >> Good. >> So, this is where my GPS brought me. >> Yeah. Let me stay off our federal property >> and I'm going to stay off the property. Yeah. I only came over here to talk. >> Instead of citing any specific law, they just keep repeating vague lines like federal law or you can't do that. What should have been a minor moment drags on until local police arrive and the conversation shifts into a whole new level. From taking photos for fun to a tense standoff over suspicion and civil rights. >> Howdy. >> Hello. >> We're getting call from city base over there concerned because you're videotaping their security point. >> Is that what they told you? Well, they said you had a camera videotaping them. I just >> Nobody uses videotape anymore. It's all digital now. >> Okay. Well, same difference. You're recording. >> I went over there and told them what I was doing. >> Okay. So, what are you doing? >> I'm taking pictures of the signs on the fence line on my arm. By the way, I have no weapons on me at all. No pocket knives, nothing. Okay. >> Signs on the fence. >> That's it. >> Her location. >> Is there any specific reason? >> Uh, some people take pictures of birds. Some people take pictures of rocks. I take pictures of signs. >> Okay. Well, taking pictures of military bases is probably not, you know, the best decision. You know, everything that's going on right now is always going to, you know, throw a red flag up. Taking especially security point. Do you have idea? >> But is it against the law? >> It's not against the law, but >> So, I haven't broken the law. >> As far as I know, but I'm going to ID you in case something does happen. I can say this person was out here doing this this day, so I need to see your identification. >> Okay. So, am I being detained? Are you a sovereign citizen? >> No. >> Why would you say that? >> Because you're refusing to show identification. If an officer refused to identify yourself, it is a law that you have to show identification. You have to have an ID on you at all times. >> If you've been >> You have to show identification. >> If you've been suspected of a crime, >> Mississippi law, >> you're suspicious. So, yes. >> Suspicious person. Is that a misdemeanor? >> Take me down the station and detain you and tell me who you are. I can't do that. >> Is that what you really want to do? >> Is that what you really want to do? >> No. Megan Morvant, is that your name? Okay. Howdy. >> How you doing, sir? >> Good. Who might you be? >> Uh, pretty good. I'm a sergeant with the B police department. I'm also assigned NCIS over here. So, uh, who might you be, sir? >> My name is David. >> Okay, David, you got some ID on you? >> You need to take make sure that you're not warned or anything. That's all we need to do. You got an ID on you? >> Oh, is that what this is about? You you want to violate my my fourth amendment right to >> You have an obligation to uh provide uh identification to the state? >> Not out here on the street in Mississippi. Not unless I'm suspected of committing a crime, as she has clearly stated, I've committed no crime. >> Even though he keeps stressing that he's on public property and hasn't broken any law, they still label him a suspicious person, instantly making the atmosphere heavier. Right after that, he pushes back even harder, raising an argument that makes anyone think it's just one lawful act, but the consequences of having your identity recorded could be far from simple. Okay, let let me ask you a question, David. If you're suspected of committing a crime, okay, but we see John Doe walking down the street and we ask John Doe who he is because we don't know who John Doe is. We have the obligation to find out whether or not John Doe is wanted. I mean, you got to look at it that way, too. I mean, I understand that. Listen to me. Simple. We're talking 45 seconds. We're out of here. All we're going to do is just take and run your name, make sure you're not wanted anywhere. We're going to get in the car and then you go take all the pictures you want to take. That's it. >> Is Mississippi a stop and ID state? You have an obligation to provide. Yes, you do have >> if you're suspected of a crime. Yes, it is. You have an obligation to provide identification if a law enforcement officer identifies himself. Yeah, I was watching him. If a law enforcement officer, you know, ask you for identification >> if you are suspected of committing a crime. >> She has plainly stated, I've committed no crime. >> Public photography. >> All right. Well, I tell you what, be on your way. Where's your vehicle at? >> Public photography is not I listen to you. Listen to what I have to say. Please do me that courtesy. Homeland Security put out a bulletin in 2010 that says it is perfectly all right for citizens to take public photographs from public property of government installations and property. It is not a crime. >> Okay. >> And the and by the way, Supreme Court says you cannot deem a constitutionally protected activity. >> No, no, no. We're not even we're not even going to go here about Supreme Court and all >> and I'm not a sovereign. >> All I'm all All I'm going to say, okay, just need to make sure. Where's your vehicle at? >> Just go on there. Just walk away and go get my vehicle. >> Okay. I You're not going to let me finish taking my photograph. >> Just walk away. They don't want you here. Walk away. >> Well, I don't care what the Navy wants. I'm not in the Navy. >> I'm going to show If you don't want to show ID, I will I can take you down there. I just want to run you, see who you are, document that I was here talking to you. >> What's up? >> I already told you who I am. >> You could have murdered five people in another state and you could be wanted. I don't know who you are or what you done. >> And then I'm going to come stand out here with all this attention and wait for you in an orange glow-in-the-dark vest. >> There will never be a report. Nothing. You can go on your way. I'll leave you alone. You can do whatever you want after I make sure that >> the tension rises because they're no longer debating what's right or wrong anymore. They're fighting over who gets to control the situation. And then when he's backed into a corner, he makes a forced choice just to bring the confrontation to an end >> and [snorts] make sure that you're not wanted. And then the only thing that we're going to do is we're going to say, "Hey, he's not wanted. He's good to go." And then they can stand over there and do whatever the heck they want to do and be as conservative as we [music] want to. That's all we're going to do today. >> Okay. So, if you take me down the station, what are you going to charge me with? >> How can I charge you? I can detain you until I figure out your ident who you are. Your identity. >> Mhm. >> We've done it before. >> You've done it before. We've done it before >> over constitutionally protected activity. >> Suspicious individual. We don't know who the individual is. >> Okay. Suspicious suspicious suspicious individual. Is that a misdemeanor or felony? >> Suspicious individual. >> Okay. And failure to provide as much as that's all. >> Okay. There Mississippi is not a stop and ID state of the road and stop and get out with you. I got a call on you. There's a reason I'm out here. >> Exactly. And so your policy dictates that you have to get contact information and put it in your in your uh in your uh report, right? >> I'm not doing a report on that. >> She has to do a report, but All right. All right. Under duress because I'm from out of state. All right. I'm going to give you a business card. It has my name on it. >> All right. >> It's a birthday with that name. >> Uh please. >> Come on, man. Let's move on. Okay. >> Okay. Okay. So, you you've been through this before. >> I'm an investigative journalist. >> I can't reveal that. >> Guys, I just IDed. [music] I'm okay. >> By the way, you were live streaming to about 600 people. I like it. I'm going to of course, you know, I'm going to do a FOY request for that. >> The police keep applying pressure under the excuse of procedure. In the end, to avoid having it dragged out even longer, he gives the bare minimum information. But the question still remains, is this voluntary cooperation or forced compliance? Citizens have the right to be respectful and to know the law. Police have a duty to act professionally and to respect the Constitution. Only when power is guided by ethics and safety is paired with humanity, can society truly remain strong and sustainable. 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]