The law is simple, and it is entirely on the side of the citizen photographers. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the right of anyone to record police in a public place. The police can place reasonable restrictions on photographers by, for example, not allowing them to enter a crime scene. But they cannot stop people from standing on the street and filming them while they make arrests, detain suspects, or otherwise enforce the law.
Jeff Roorda physically assaulted me. Both of us are private citizens and both of us are equal in the eyes of the law. That he believes that he has the right to hit me… to strike me, demonstrates that he still behaves like the worst police officers do. He doesn’t get to hide behind the blue shield of invulnerability. If this is how he acts as a private citizen, image how he was as a police officer. If this is who police officers have chosen to represent them, imagine how they act on the street.”
The suit was filed by attorney Stephen Ryals of the Arch City Defenders. It alleges several counts of unlawful seizure and retaliation.
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