Rights Group Sues NYPD for Taping Protests

FOXNews.com ^ | 29 November 2005

[Aussie Dasher]

NEW YORK — A civil rights group on Monday asked a judge to stop city police from routinely videotaping political demonstrations as part of efforts to fight terrorism.

The New York Civil Liberties Union filed the legal challenge in Manhattan federal court. NYCLU attorney Arthur Eisenberg said the videotaping "has a wide impact on the common citizen exercising fundamental constitutional rights."

The surveillance was noted by participants in protests during the 2004 Republican National Convention, especially those who wanted to exercise their First Amendment rights anonymously, Eisenberg said.

The city's law office was evaluating the legal papers, special counsel Gail Donoghue said, but she was not prepared to comment further.

[Aussie Dasher]

These guys are as much cowards as their Al Queda buddies!

[Gordongekko909]

"especially those who wanted to exercise their First Amendment rights anonymously"

They want to be seen and they want their voices to be heard! But... they don't want to be seen, and they do not necessarily want their voices to actually be heard!

It's in public, for crying out loud. They have zero expectation of privacy.

[adamsjas]

Too bad, its a public place. Nobody can stop the tapeing, not even a judge. It it wasn't cops, it would be freepers.

[Just Lori]

Smile.

[Fintan]

Y'know, it's just so...French.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

" . . . especially those who wanted to exercise their First Amendment rights anonymously, Eisenberg said.

Then protest on the Internet. Oh wait, there's no anonynimity on the net either.

[domenad]

Dammit. WHen I throw a rock through a window and set fire to garbage cans and burn an American flag, I dont' mean I want people to SEE me do it.

[Tulsa Ramjet]

That's because they look like hell on camera and they know it with their purple hair, sloppy attire, hairy pits. All being poor representations of demeanor for when they wise up in later years and become conservative and, lo and behold, someone pulls out a photo of them engaged in disorderly conduct.

[DoughtyOne]

If these protesters were carrying A.N.S.W.E.R. signs, I'd do more than just video tape them. I've been saying this for quite some time, but I beleive our justice department should go over that organization with a magnifying glass.

[CAWats]

The surveillance was noted by participants in protests during the 2004 Republican National Convention, especially those who wanted to exercise their First Amendment rights anonymously, Eisenberg said.

What's the point of exercising a right if you're going to be anonymous?

[Buck W.]

Bonus points for a well-delivered Eddie Izzard line!

[armydawg1]

What a bunch of duds. Any filth and porn is ok, filming them isnt.

Where is there concern with Cops are filmed constantly?

[satchmodog9]

Privacy in public, there's a new one. That's a stretch even for leftists.

[loboinok]

ACLU ping

[libill]

Are they kidding? The goody-two-shoe, holier than thou crowd are the first to cheer a video camera when a police officer is involved, but they don't like them being used in PUBLIC for security!

[loboinok]

"...especially those who wanted to exercise their First Amendment rights anonymously, Eisenberg said."

Maybe I'm getting too tired... how does one protest publicly,anonymously?

[No Longer Free State]

"If you don't want your picture taken, don't come out in public. Now go home and hide in your hole, lefty."

[waterman478]

Freepers, the answer is simple. Attend these demonstrations as a free citizen, video camera in hand. Then submit the tapes to any and all authorities you feel like.

For fun, tell everyone you videotape that's exactly what you're going to do.

[AndyTheBear]

If they want to express their hate anonymously, perhaps Senator Byrd could lend them some of his old robes

[Aussie Dasher]

LOL!!! Love it!!!!