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Texas Rep. Villalba Files Bill That Criminalizes Bloggers, Citizens Filming Cops
Breitbart Texas ^ | 03/13/2015 | by Sarah Rumpf

Posted on 03/13/2015 4:29:19 PM PDT by Rusty0604

Texas State Representative Jason Villalba (R-Texas) has found himself at the center of controversy after filing a bill that would make it a crime for bloggers and independent journalists — as well as regular citizens — to film police officers. Despite the backlash from free speech advocates, Villalba is insisting that his bill “does not infringe on constitutional rights” or “limit liberty in any way.”

Villalba’s bill would also make it illegal for private citizens to record their own interactions with police officers. In fact, the language is so broad, in prohibiting “documenting” the police officer’s activities, that taking notes during a conversation with an officer, about what was being said, the officer’s badge number, etc., could be construed as a violation.

Villalba himself took to Twitter to defend the bill, with a tweet around 6 p.m. Central Time that insisted that his bill would not stop citizens from holding police accountable or prohibit filming.

Villalba then continued tweeting late through the night, until about 4 a.m., defiantly defending his bill and daring anyone who disagreed with him to “find me an opponent” and vote him out of office.

(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: jasonvillalba; texas
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To: glasseye

True. You can sure mess up the story line when you film those jokers. BTW the police are acting in an official capacity, on public money. They can kill a citizen and get away with murder.

Unless they are held accountable. How do you hold The State accountable if you let them control the narrative. Do you rely on the good will, the honor of the individual officers? Please.

They work for an institution designed to control and convict. Give that institution unfettered power? How is that a good idea?


101 posted on 03/15/2015 6:13:47 AM PDT by DariusBane (Liberty and Risk. Flip sides of the same coin. So how much risk will YOU accept? Vive Deo et Vives)
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To: DJ MacWoW

Oh now that’s a good idea. I’d be happy if all cops AND citizens were camera ready.


102 posted on 03/15/2015 8:24:18 AM PDT by Shimmer1 (God bless 'em.)
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To: null and void

let the pogroms continue


103 posted on 03/15/2015 7:12:15 PM PDT by Nifster
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To: arderkrag
Sheer idiocy. It’s nonsense like this that makes the GOP look bad.

This is why the GOP IS bad!!! This is exactly what they and the shills on FNC and talk radio are all about. They hate liberty as much as the Dems do.

104 posted on 03/15/2015 8:39:38 PM PDT by Forgotten Amendments (Peace On Earth! Purity of Essence! McCain/Ripper 2016)
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To: babygene

He’s thinking of becoming a Democrat.....................


105 posted on 03/16/2015 6:15:41 AM PDT by Red Badger (Man builds a ship in a bottle. God builds a universe in the palm of His hand.............)
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To: Rusty0604

How do people this stupid get elected to public office?


106 posted on 03/16/2015 10:20:35 AM PDT by Kaled
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