(N.Morgan) An overly aggressive Massachusetts State Trooper, who was investigating a traffic accident, accosted passers by, who happened to be taking video of the scene and the area. “Why are you taking pictures?” the cop asks. “Why are you taking pictures?” “Because I can,” the man responds, not allowing his phone to be snatched. “Keep driving,” the cop orders when he realizing the man knew his rights and wasn’t about to stop recording. Another case in which knowing your rights can truly pay off. This officer had no right to demand anything from these people who were merely driving by and saw the accident scene. Why was he so worried about anything being on video?
An account by chzbizman: WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR 1ST First Amendment rights
This incident took place at around 4pm on june 30th 2014. My friend johnny was going home from a day at the lake with his wife and kids when he came across a car accident. he was the passenger in the car and decided to pull out his cell phone and record what had happened. His wife never stopped and continued through the accident scene slowly while Johnny started recording. At the point they approached the accident scene a state trooper reached inside his vehicle and tried to grab his cell phone. Words were exchanged and they continued on. The point is when will certain law enforcement stop abusing their power and try to restrict our 1st american right. Photography is not a crime. Thank you.