Uh 15-530 states unless I'm suspected of a crime or committing a crime I don't have to provide ID. >> in lawful contact with law enforcement and we are requesting that you're that you identify yourself. So, what do you have an ID on you? What we do is Do you have an ID on you? Do you have an ID on you? When a request for ID is made without any accusation of a crime, a serious question arises. Is this law enforcement or an abuse of power? Uh I don't have one on me. I don't I don't carry one on me because again I don't break the law and and laws only require me to have ID. >> You what? I don't ID unless I commit a crime. We haven't even spoke with nobody. An unlawful demand for ID can lead to more than just controversy. It could result in a lawsuit against the police themselves. An independent journalist began filming outside the FBI building in Mobile, Alabama. But just minutes later, the camera on the public sidewalk caught the attention of police. What started as a simple question from officers quickly turned into a tense confrontation over citizens' rights. Morning, sir. Hey. Officer Mister of the Mobile Police Department. Hey, you guys. >> Mind if I ask why you're videotaping the Federal Bureau of Investigation right now? Cuz I'm allowed to. Okay. Why Why are you Why are you allowed to? It's a First Amendment protected activity. Okay. What activity are you What What are you trying to do by videotaping a federal building? Gathering content on a story. Do what? Gathering content on a story. >> Gathering content on a story, okay. Are you A journalist. >> media? Do you have any of your media credentials? I'm an independent journalist. Independent journalist. Okay. This is just a piece of paper about the First Amendment. Mhm. Okay. Yep, there are >> say you're an independent journalist. It doesn't have to. There's no independent journalist credentials. There's no independent journalist credentials. Yeah. See, cuz when you work for like CNN or ABC or something like that, it's the news agency that issues the credentials. There's no state or any kind of a government authority that inter issues press credentials. Okay. Do you have any ID on you? No. No? No. Uh 15-530 states unless I'm suspected of a crime or committing a crime I don't have to provide ID. >> in lawful contact with After being asked several times to show identification, the cameraman continued to insist he had not broken any laws. But before the argument could end, the officer suddenly shifted to a different justification and the situation began to [music] escalate. law enforcement and we are requesting that you're that you identify yourself. >> What statute said? Cuz 15-530 says I'm only allowed to give ID if if I'm suspected of a crime crime, if I'm committing a crime. Do you suspect me of a crime? Uh I don't have one on me. I don't I don't carry one on me because again I don't break the law and and laws only require me to have ID if I break the law. What's What's your purpose here? What are you trying to get accomplished? I'm just gathering content for a story, some b-roll footage. Okay. I'm on a public sidewalk. It's totally legal. Totally allowed to be here. I'm totally allowed to take pictures of federal installations, Department of Homeland Security Readiness Memo 2018 specifically states Federal Protective Services not allowed to mess with me while I'm outside on public property. >> if you're videotaping a federal facility, Mhm. you need to at least give us your identification of who you is. What What state law is that? What federal law? >> Where's your identification? I I don't have it on me. Where's What What What's your name? Because before you leave we're going to verify who you is. Who I am? You're also in violation of city of Mobile ordinance so I need your ID. What ordinance? >> Smoking on the sidewalk. Really? Yes, sir. Actually, yeah, I didn't even think about that. >> so I need your ID, sir. Okay. George Metz. I don't have an ID on me. >> have an ID on you? No. You mind if I pat you down and see if you have your wallet on you? I don't consent to any searches. I'm I just asked if I could pat you down, not search. No, I don't have I have downs to carry out. Do me a favor. I need you to put your camera down so that we can detain you till we can further identify you. Okay. So, I'll take that. Not under arrest? You're just being detained. For what crime? What crime do you suspect me of? Smoking on the public sidewalk. City ordinance. And that's an arrestable offense? Uh did I say you were under arrest? No, I said you were being detained right now. >> ticketable offense and all we got to do is give you a citation then we got to first figure out who you is. Okay. What began with a minor issue mentioned on the sidewalk [music] quickly escalated into a detention. The cameraman continued to object and assert his [music] rights, but the officers decided to escort him toward the patrol car to verify his identity and that moment would lead to an unexpected turn in the situation. Nope. What's your first name? G e o r g e What all's in this pocket? Um I don't know. You don't know? How did you get here today? I uh Ubered. From the city of Mobile. Why are you Why are you Why are you lost with everybody else? What's the uh names of everybody here? Come over here, sir. We'll get you We'll get you that You're just I'm just going to have you have a seat in I'm just having you having a seat in the back seat of my car. Go ahead and have a seat. You're not under arrest. You're simply being detained. All this is being recorded on all three on three body cameras. Okay. I mean, did you stay at the hotel and this is where you're laying your head in? I'm not Okay. I'm not necessarily saying where you reside at. I'm just saying if you stay at the Motel 6 down the street, that's what I'm asking. I'm staying at a motel like Florida. While sitting in the back of the police car, the cameraman remained calm and continued asking why he was being detained. The officers checked information and spoke among themselves. Just minutes later, their decision would send the entire situation in a different direction. Hey, gentlemen. And where's the uh the police department here? What street is that on? Which police department? The one you guys are from, Mobile. Mobile? 2460 Government Boulevard. 2460 Government Boulevard. >> Yes, sir. And that's where the police records are? >> That's our police headquarters. Okay. Thanks. 253 252 This guy looks undercover. 684 OBB6 OBB8 After completing the procedures, the police finally returned all the equipment and allowed the cameraman to leave. The detention ended quickly, but what had just happened on the sidewalk outside the federal building raised an important question. Was that detention really necessary? [music] Citizens may file a lawsuit against police under Section 1983 if their rights are violated. Officers who violate those rights could face financial liability and may also [music] be subject to discipline or termination. Up next, a group of people stood on the sidewalk outside a bank simply recording video. But just minutes later, the arrival of a police car turned this ordinary scene into a tense situation. 1980 What we got going on today? Who do you what? What we got going on today? What do we have going on today, you guys? Filming or something? The bank is calling, they're concerned. What did they say? Can I photograph you guys today? The bank is wanting to know what's going on because you guys are outside their establishment. He said we have no intentions on going in or on their property. You're on their property now. That's That's the bank though. Take the property line. Are you guys Are you filming or what are we What are we doing? They They want to know because this is a bank. This is a federal institution. I haven't spoke with anyone. Okay. So, are we filming or what are we doing? I'm just Yeah, I'm just We were just So, so can I ask you a question then? I'm going to go inside and talk to the bank. But if they don't want you on their establishment, I'll let them know that you guys are filming. They This is a bank. Yes, we're on the public sidewalk. Okay, let me go inside the bank. Can I ask you a question before you go in? How do you pronounce that? But but how do you pronounce that, sir? D'Andre so they want you to know for their safety, what are you guys doing? You got your hoodies on. filming, so what's going on? Just recording it on the public sidewalk. What are you You're recording the bank? I just want to know what to So, I want to tell them You want a picture? Oh, picture. Pic picture? Picture? That wasn't on? You want a picture? I don't know. Oh. We just just on the public sidewalk recording, man. Oh. That wasn't even on. Look at the cop car he's in. After being repeatedly questioned about filming in front of the bank, the group maintained that they were standing on a public sidewalk. >> [music] >> However, the officer decided to go inside the bank to speak with the staff. And just a few minutes after he returned, the situation outside began to escalate in a way no one expected. We're going to do a FOIA. You can ask. I'm on public property. Go ahead. You're taking a picture. He said he's getting more units here. I was just getting close so you can take your picture. He is Steelers fan, man. Hey, uh this is wild. He is He is Steelers fan, bro. He got a He is Steelers fan. They're not going far in the playoffs. Here goes the other cop right here. Look at him. He understand. He's blocking their driveway. You're blocking their driveway. You're interfering with their business. As the exchange continued, more and more police officers began arriving at the scene. What surprised many people was that it had all [music] started simply from filming on a public sidewalk. But once sheriff deputies and other units showed up, [music] the discussion quickly shifted to a much bigger issue. Something so simple. You can't limit our recording, officer. You can step right over there. I asked you to step over there. I asked you to step over there. You're asking her to move? I'm telling you to stand right there. Where Where Where at? Right here? Right here? Yes. All right. Does that make you happy? Well, what if I want to walk this way? Then you can stand right there for just a minute. What if I have to go to the bathroom? Okay, I'll just pee on myself. >> [laughter] [snorts] >> I just got to pee on myself now. So, what's What we do is What we do is What we do is just record in public. So, we don't commit crimes. And I don't ID unless I commit a crime. I don't ID unless I commit a crime. We haven't even spoke with nobody. The bank never said anything to us or anything like that. We haven't spoke with nobody. We've been very respectful with this guy and it just seem like he don't understand. My mom. Go ahead. No, no, go ahead. Let Let him speak. I want to hear him. Go ahead. I want to hear him speak. Go ahead, sir. If your mom worked here and she was nervous and she called you because someone's got a camera all up in your face while you're working Let Let him talk. Go ahead, sir. Okay, can I speak? Yeah. Okay, we wasn't in anyone's face. We're on the sidewalk, sir. So, if my mother was to call me, I would educate her. If they're standing in public, they have every right to do that. Now, once they go inside or if they stop in business, interfering with business We haven't even From public From public, we're just recording and we It's doing public on the public sidewalk. We were just recording. We recorded everything. This guy just really just took it to the next level. I was like, when I seen you guys, I said, "Great, the sheriff As the conversation continued, the cameraman began explaining more clearly their right to record from public spaces and why they would not provide identification without being accused of a crime. The tension seemed to ease as some officers started listening. But just minutes later, the discussion shifted to a different topic. The relationship between police and the public and who is truly accountable to the people. on the highway We're in public. They have every right to do so. If If hearing that from you guys, hearing it from him, if they would have heard that from him, it would have brought these fears down. But he's scared as they is. And I'm like, "You're a law enforcement, sir." I'm telling you. Don't intimidate anyone. Uh we wasn't I mean, I'm I'm intimidating cuz I'm big and We haven't even spoke with anybody. And my My thing was this, when they called this this gentleman, I'm like, "You're a law enforcement officer." He's supposed to be aware. I thought he was going to bring down their fears cuz if he educate them, "Hey, they have every right to do so." It would make them feel okay. No, no. I can't say that. I don't know what he said. I I If I don't know that, I can't say that. But he blocked he he stopped their flow of traffic and he made a big deal, sir. He made a big deal. We We We know what we can and cannot do. I I would rather just, you know, just leave it there. But he He took it there, sir. It was him, man. The This officer probably just needed to be a little bit more educated and informed. I even tried to show him this and he you know, he ran from it. You don't work for the people. They're Okay, so where are you guys' bosses, right? We may not pay you. You don't You don't pay me. Yeah, we do cuz your checks come from government people money. Yeah, guess what? I pay taxes, too. You pay taxes with our taxes. And my taxes. our money. Therefore, you're paying with our tax money. Herman. That's how we Yeah, I mean, I appreciate you though, brother. You know, we Listen, we're we're not even here. We wouldn't even antagonize you. Yeah, I we Trust me. I I even when he first pulled up, I said we have no intentions on going in or on their property. Cuz we know what we can and cannot do. It's 2026. It's a recording era, brother. Well, I appreciate you, gentlemen. Y'all stay safe. Hey, what's his name? Is he in there? You said you a canine unit. As the argument began to settle down, the officers started leaving the scene. The cameraman believed the situation had been blown out of proportion from the beginning. But before everything completely wrapped up, they still had a few words for the officer who had called for backup. And that's when an awkward yet slightly humorous moment unfolded right there at the scene. Oh, so I like that. Is he all black? Is he jet black? That'll be That'll be a good one right there. Yeah. Where did he go? No, he's right here. He's right here. Did you get an education today, officer? He's still blocking traffic. Look at him. Oh, man, he a sellout. That's Uncle Ruckus. That's Uncle Ruckus. Hey, what was the dude name on Django? >> [laughter] >> Hey, what was Samuel Jackson's name on Django? That's Samuel Jackson. Hey, a brother called the cops on a brother, man. Look at him. Oh, man. Oh, man. He when he said he need backup, y'all. He called the police department, the sheriff department, his lieutenant, and the chief just rolled by. And look what they give him. Look what they pull up in. I don't know. That's a golf cart, bro. In the end, no charges were filed, and the police gradually left the scene. But, one question remains. >> [music] >> Was all this chaos really necessary just because of a camera? When everyone acts with respect, fairness, and understanding, society becomes safer and more just for everyone. [music] Hey, everyone. What do you think about this situation? If you enjoyed the video, don't forget [music] to like, subscribe, and support us with a donation. Thank you so much. >> [music]