Police violate ban on videotaping protesters

[rawstory]

Okay, try two: Here's the full photos we've received. If DU wants to move this to GD again, it's your call, but I don't understand what more proof you need for this to be news. This from The Raw Story: http://rawstory.com

New York City police have violated an agreement which legally prohibits them from videotaping protesters. The photographs, acquired by RAW STORY this evening, show a police officer in Times Square videotaping protesters who are not engaged in illegal activity.

The photographer submitted the officer’s badge and precinct number to authorities.

Under law, unless there is an actual crime taking place, or reason to believe that one was about to – more than simply the protest march itself – the NYPD cannot videotape activists as a result of a 1971 class-action lawsuit filed by activists who accused police of using dossiers and undercover agents to punish lawful dissent.

http://www.bluelemur.com/index.php?p=265





http://nyc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/106319/index.php

[Eric J in MN]

1. Did they have a permit to protest?

If not, do protests without permits fall into the category of activity which can be videotaped?

[rawstory]

2. No, you don't need a permit.

Here's what the Village Voice has to say about the law:

http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0251/lee.php

The NYPD relinquished its spying autonomy as a result of a 1971 class-action suit filed by a diverse group of activists who accused police of using dossiers and undercover agents to chill and punish lawful dissent. Officials eventually admitted as much. In a historic settlement over a decade later, police promised to heed certain guidelines and be monitored by an oversight body when investigating constitutionally protected activity. Federal Judge Charles Haight signed the settlement—known as the Handschu agreement after one of the plaintiffs—into effect in 1985.

[Moderator]

3. locking

when it's reported by a news organisation, feel free to post with a link, as per LBN rules.