And honest businesses have the right not to be maliciously maligned.
Greenwire reports,
The House Science subcommittee hearing on water contamination in Pavillion, Wyo., took an unusual turn this morning when filmmaker and drilling opponent Josh Fox was handcuffed and led away by Capitol Police.
Fox, whose “Gasland” documentary on HBO was nominated for an Academy Award, is working on a sequel.
Fox entered the hearing room in the Rayburn House Office Building this morning. A videographer was blocked from entering, but Fox tried nonetheless to set up equipment. Before the hearing could start, he was handcuffed and led out by uniformed officers, yelling in protest.
“This is a public hearing!” Fox shouted. “I’m being denied my First Amendment rights!”…
The scene reminds us of something out of Dirty Harry.
We’re talking about a well-established point of law, not a point of opinion, there’s no “picking” here. Or do you simply mean you don’t think we should have the right to record the publicly spoken words of our elected officials and that the law should be changed?
Ben vs ACLU? I pick Ben.
Ben of houston’s statement is incorrect, here’s a direct quote on the matter from the ACLU: “When in public spaces where you are lawfully present you have the right to photograph anything that is in plain view. That includes pictures of federal buildings, transportation facilities, and police. Such photography is a form of public oversight over the government and is important in a free society.”
You have a right to attend and think what you will. You do not have the right to videotape or photograph without permission, and if denied permisison you certainly do not have the right to ignore lawful authority and videotape anyway.
So why are they being denied the right. Were they being intrusive or disruptive or anything?