Washington DC announced formal regulations protecting anyone who records police activity,
following a state of incidents in which policemen have forcibly stopped citizens from recording
them performing their duties and have been seized cellphones or forced citizens to delete their
recordings. The move is a part of a settlement of at least one lawsuit filed by people who were
ordered to stop recording photos or videos in public. The new rules compel officers to allow
themselves and unfolding events to be recorded whether in public or within a private residence
or business. The person cannot be coerced or asked for identification solely on the because
he or she is recording activity, but may only be asked to move out of the way if he or she is
obstructing police work or endangering anyone. The move is being hailed as a massive victory
for civil liberties and free speech.
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