What capacity do you work here and your name? >> And what are you doing here? >> Uh in what capacity do you work here and >> manager. What are you doing? >> And your name is? >> I don't need to give that to you. >> Well, I mean I would like to. >> you were in here. And then you needed to be removed from here. >> Okay, and that's what you're trying to do, correct? >> to ask you again. Can I see your identification, please? >> Am I under arrest? Am I being detained? >> You're about to be. Now, turn off the camera. >> arrested? >> You are. Can I see your ID, please? This isn't public. >> When a citizen who understands the law refuses to bow to baseless orders, police overreach doesn't just get exposed in public. It can also lead to serious and bitter legal consequences. >> I'm asking you the lawful order to identify yourself. >> What have I done? Well, >> I'm asking you to identify yourself. Failing to identify yourself. How do I know that you're not >> committed a crime. I don't have to identify myself to you unless I've committed a crime. >> A citizen who understands the law, a camera recording everything, and the moment threats from law enforcement suddenly turned into a confrontation that could carry serious legal consequences. Just because a camera appeared inside a public government building, the atmosphere instantly became razor tense. And the female employee's visibly irritated reaction afterward only pushed the situation further than anyone expected. >> Here goes our friendly reminder that they're always recording us. Even though it always seems to be an issue when we record them. >> Sir. What are you doing? >> Yes, ma'am. Can I help you with something? >> Can I help you with something? You just wandered in our building. >> And this is your building? >> This is the Treasurer's Office. >> Yeah. Are you This is the Treasurer's Office that's funded by the people, correct? I don't know. I don't need anything, ma'am. No. >> You just came in. Is that the reason you came in? >> It's okay. I'm not just trying to I'm here to help. Oh, yeah. I don't need any help, ma'am. Thank you. I really appreciate that though. Thank you so much. Anyway, you see how they always say this is their building. You came into our building. Excuse me, ma'am? Can you help me with anything? Who are you? >> I work here. Why are you recording? The girls. >> Well, I'm not recording girls. What What capacity do you work here and your name? >> What are you doing here? >> Well, in what capacity do you work here and And your name is? >> I don't need to give that to you. >> Why wouldn't you? Isn't that Do you not work for the Do you not work for the people? Well, I don't know who you are, ma'am. I don't want to share any information with you at this time. She's very rude, what whatever your name is. The rude office manager who does not have a name. The tense behavior of the employees inside quickly pushed the atmosphere beyond control. And then, moments later, multiple officers suddenly arrived, setting the stage for a highly controversial confrontation right inside the government building. Hey, how are you guys? >> Can I have you just step out here with us? >> For what? >> Because we need to talk to you. So, just go ahead and step out here with us. >> Oh, we can talk right here, right? >> I'm going to have you step out here. >> Why would that be? Can I get any name and badge numbers, please? >> Yep. We can do that when you step out here. >> But, why would I need to step out there? >> Are you Are you conducting business in here? >> Yeah, for sure. I would I would ask that you de-escalate and identify yourselves, please. I'll just, you know, >> [music] >> respectfully. Cuz I don't like the way that Sorry. Sorry, sir. >> What business are you conducting here? >> Uh ma'am, what business of that is yours of yours, to be honest with you? And you're not even identifying yourself to me as a law enforcement officer. >> My badge identifies who I am. My name tag identifies who I >> I don't know how to pronounce that. >> got a call. That's fine, you don't have to know how to pronounce it. We got a call >> I mean, I would like to. >> were in here and that you needed to be removed from here. >> Okay. And that's what you're trying to do, correct? >> [music] >> Well, I was just trying to talk to you. >> No, you're you're trying to order me to leave. >> No, I said, "Can you step out here?" >> And I and I politely refused and I said we could talk right here. >> Okay. >> And we can lower our voices and not interrupt any business. Oh, I'm an independent journalist. >> Okay. >> I'm taking some pictures and video. >> Okay. >> That's what I'm doing. Can I get your badge number or anything that >> G704 is my badge >> G704. And and your and your name, sir, and badge number? >> I'm Lieutenant Jones, 64. >> Thank you, Lieutenant. I appreciate >> All right. So, what what you need? >> I I don't need anything. I didn't call you, sir. >> don't need anything, you need to leave the building, then. >> What do you mean? >> Well, if you're not here to conduct business, you need to leave. >> I am conducting business, sir. [music] I'm conducting constitutionally protected business, sir. >> Okay. Are you >> Did you take an oath Did you take an oath to uphold the Constitution, sir? >> Are you here at the motor vehicle trying to pay your registration or >> Sure, I'm I'm documenting the motor vehicle as an independent journalist, which is a constitutional right afforded to me under the First Amendment, sir. So, which is the Constitution that you both took an oath to uphold. So, I'm just All I'm respectfully, sir. I don't want to escalate the situation. I'm really just trying to de-escalate it at this time. >> The female officer repeatedly barked orders trying to force the man out of the building without any clear legal basis. But the moment he calmly asked one simple question, the entire display of authority suddenly left everyone around in stunned silence. >> Sir, you can come and sit down. See, this is what you're trying to do again, ma'am. You're trying You're trying You are, because you're trying to tell First, you told me to leave the building. You're ordering me to leave the building. You told me to Yeah, when I told you no, yeah, you asked me, and then when I told you no, you became very assertive and tried to tell me You're disrupting the business, ma'am. You are, not me. And then I'm trying to walk away freely. You're telling me to stay here. So, I'm going to have a legal question for you right now. Am I being Okay, am I being detained? Okay, thank you. Thank you. That's all I need to hear. You know, it's officers like Officer Hughes are We'll just say that. It's officers like her that give law enforcement a bad name. And look, we have two more sheriffs arriving for a man with a camera. Don't understand. I'm such a threat you need to have a war law enforcement officers armed law enforcement officers here. Hey, sir, how are you? >> Not too bad, yourself? >> I'm doing okay. Thank you. Thanks for asking. I appreciate it. >> Yep. >> You mind if I get your name and badge number, sir? >> Uh my name's James Garcia. Badge number 776. >> Thank you. I appreciate that, sir. I appreciate And your name and badge number, sir? >> It's Deputy Matt. Badge number is 249. >> Thank you, sir. I appreciate you guys. >> What's your name? >> My name's Sean. >> Sean? Nice to meet you, Sean. >> Nice to meet you, sir. >> After a series of threats and unreasonable pressure from police, the truth was finally confirmed by the sergeant himself right inside the building. And in that moment, the entire display of authority that came before suddenly became deeply embarrassing. >> You know, >> Hopefully someday, right? >> Hopefully someday. That's the goal. That way we can affect some real change. >> I got you. I got you. >> For sure. >> Are you like trying to get some change around here or something? >> Um yeah, just change in government in general. >> Okay, I got you. >> That's that's basically it. Change in government in general. Excuse me, sir. >> How you doing? >> Excuse me. Yeah. >> took a ticket somewhere. >> Uh that I couldn't tell you. I haven't seen anybody take a ticket, sir. You could talk to Sheila. >> Do you live local? >> Um no, I don't actually live local. No. No. But um Yeah, you're Listen, man. Garcia, your de-escalation technique is great. Great. You know, very commendable, you know? There's no and I don't really think it's a technique. I think you're just a good person, right? I think it's just, you know, you're just having a you're just having a good conversation with me, right? >> There's nothing wrong with talking to people. >> No. I mean, it's it's >> consensual encounter here? >> Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Exactly. Some officers, they don't I've run across some officers that don't really do that too much. >> I got you. >> All right, if you don't mind, the ladies around here said if you do take photographs or videos of them, do not post them in any manner or anything, okay? >> Well, my intention is not to record anything. >> And then also just don't disrupt the business, okay? >> Yeah, definitely not doing that. >> Don't let it in anybody interrupt anybody like that cuz then, you know, obviously you'd be breaking a law at that point. >> Oh, sure. Of course. Yeah, I'm not I'm not about breaking the law or anything. >> I appreciate you, man. >> Garcia, nice meeting you, sir. >> Hey, stay cool, man. >> Thank you. >> Everything seemed to be over when the man quietly submitted a public records request and prepared to leave. But just minutes later, police suddenly returned with a reason that left many people seriously questioning what was really going on. >> Yeah, so I included my email on there. If you could just send it to me via email, that'd be perfect. It's the first last name, salary, and title of all county employees for the year 2022. [music] And >> You put 2023. >> Oh, okay. >> So, do you want 2022 or you want >> I'll take 2023. That's fine. And can you also just make me a copy, a stamped copy? Yes. Just so I have records that I submitted [music] it, please. >> Sure. >> Thank you. >> Have a good day for you. >> Thank you so much. >> I will reach out to you once it's in the process of being mailed to you. >> Okay, thank you so much. Have a great day. Hopefully the county clerk doesn't do anything funny with my request. That's why I wanted a copy. But anyways, guys, we're going to be getting out of here. So, I was just about to do my outro for the video when these sheriffs pulled up. I don't know why. I'm assuming because the county clerk called them when I just did my open records request. They were just here, so I don't know why they would come back. Doesn't make any sense to me. >> Did they complain about something? >> Excuse me? >> Did they complain about something? >> I have no idea. >> Okay, yeah, cuz they called us back for some reason. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> I think you need to talk to the county clerk cuz I I went in I went in to do a open records request. >> Okay. >> And she said, "Why are you filming?" And I told her I'm an independent journalist, ma'am. I'm just documenting my process of And she got really upset. >> I got you. >> So, I guess she called you guys back. >> Yeah. >> And you guys have to come back? You couldn't just tell her on the phone like >> No, it's part of our job, man. We got to show up, you know. >> Yeah, I hear you. >> Just, you know, all we get was a go back to the building for a removed subject. We don't know if you're a rate, we don't know if there's a fight breaking out, I don't know what's going on. So, we come to check. Obviously, I pulled up here outside. Technically, you're not in the building anymore, so I don't need to we don't need to remove you. But he's just going to go inside and figure out, you know, what's going on. >> Yeah. >> Lincoln here. >> Yeah. >> Got a guard your rear. >> Uh Lincoln. >> Lincoln? >> Yeah. >> All right. >> There you go. Be on the lookout for a Lincoln now. >> [laughter] >> Yep, for sure. >> No handcuffs, no arrest, but the moment authority is exercised by people who don't fully understand its limits, any innocent citizen can become a victim of intimidation and abuse of power. Next, just a camera in a courthouse parking lot, but minutes later, the arrival of a police officer suddenly turned the atmosphere razor tense. A confrontation erupted, and the biggest question became who was really crossing the line. >> This guy's bald tires, too. Look at these guys. >> Howdy. Howdy. What's your name? >> What's your name? >> Officer Chris Graves. >> What's your badge number? >> 54. >> Officer So, can I ask what you're doing recording around my >> So, this is my sally port. >> Yeah. >> Okay, the court has its own rules. I transport prisoners in and out of this area. So, everything you're doing here is a threat to my safety. So, I need to know who you are. So, I'd like to see your identification. >> safety? >> Okay. I'm not going to ask you again. Can I see your identification, please? >> Am I being arrested? Am I being detained? >> You're about to be. Now, turn off the camera. >> to be arrested? >> You are. Can I see your ID, please? This isn't public. This is a secure area. >> you read the freaking sign? Let's go read the sign, gentlemen. >> Let's not. Yes. >> Let's read the sign. All right. You don't want to read the sign? You want to read the sign? Let's go read the sign. >> It was no longer just about threats. The confrontation outside the courthouse quickly turned into a tense legal showdown. And when the man walked toward what was claimed to be a restricted area, many began asking, was someone intentionally pushing their authority beyond its limits? >> Let's see here. See, let's see here. What's it say? >> Trooper parking only. >> how to read? Trooper parking. >> All right. Okay. >> Trooper parking. I'm not parking. >> That's fine. >> What's that one say? Trooper parking. >> Okay. What's your name? >> direction. This one This one is for this spot. There's no sign saying I can't go in there. >> There is not. So, can I have your name, please? I'm asking you a lawful order to identify yourself. I'm asking you to identify yourself. >> committed >> Failing to identify yourself. How do I know that you're not >> I haven't committed a crime. I don't have to identify myself to you unless I've committed a crime. >> Okay. You need to put your hand down right now. All right. I'm asking you to identify yourself. Are you not identifying yourself? Then, let's go. I'm asking you to leave. I'm I'm telling you right now you're about to be trespassed on this property. >> trespassing outside of >> telling you that right now. >> that says I can stand here. >> No, there's not. Do you have a matter of court? No, you do not. >> Yes, I have. >> I'm not going to argue. Do you have court right now? Let's go. Are you on the court, calendar? >> You need to calm down. >> need to calm down. >> to calm down. Let me talk to the supervisor. >> How about that? Let me talk to the supervisor. >> You're out of control. You need to calm yourself down. >> Telling me what to do. You don't have no authority over me. Who do you think you are? >> a sergeant in Kenai. >> He said as long as I'm not inside the courthouse. Am I inside the courthouse? >> Okay, do you not see? >> Is that what you said? >> Do you not understand that walking around this building, video taping this entire building might raise some alarm? >> I own this building. The citizens of this state own this building. It's not your building. You don't have no authority out here unless I'm committing a crime. Am I committing a crime? And if so, what crime am I committing? Failure ID? I don't have to ID. >> I'm done talking to you. >> I don't have to ID myself to you. Well, if you don't talk to me, why don't you walk back in there and get out of my face? >> The atmosphere outside the courthouse was now on the verge of exploding as the officer repeatedly approached the man before storming off in visible frustration. But just as everything seemed ready to spiral out of control, the arrival of another officer suddenly changed the entire direction of the encounter. >> You got somebody coming out here. I know my laws. I know my rights. >> Okay, good for you. >> And I'm literally standing on the right side. There's not a damn thing you can do about it. You have no authority over me. You can't go bully somebody. You can't bully somebody else. >> He's telling you not to >> I can film anything I want. Anything I can see in public. Anything my eyes can see, I can film. It's not the law. >> Sorry, what's your uh Grimes? What's your name? >> Grimes, sir. >> Grimes? >> Yes. >> Uh and your badge number? >> K20. >> Awesome. You said 20? >> 20, 2-0. >> 2-0. Awesome. Thanks, man. >> What's your name? >> I'm not giving you my name. Not after the interaction I just had. I would have, but >> No, you wouldn't have. That's the first thing I asked you to identify yourself and you said barking orders at me? Yeah, I'm going to >> Hey, sir. >> It ain't happening. >> Can I have a conversation with you? >> This guy just No, the the the whole thing escalated because he came out screaming. He was supposed to be at like now like you are you're at like four. He came out here at a hundred. Straight off the bat. I'm not putting up with it today. I have every right to be here. You and all you guys know it. I'm outside the courthouse. >> I'm not here to tell you you have to identify yourself. >> I'm going to explain to you what what I was just told by that gentleman on the left right there. He told me as long as I'm not in the courthouse, I'm fine. And then I come over here. These signs say this right here, right? Is is that is that correct? I can't go down there. That's trooper parking or parking. Technically though I can go down there by law, but I'm not going to go down there because I'm not trying to I'm not trying to start no But this over here So, do I have is there any reason for me not to be over here? Exactly. Thank you very much. Why don't you go tell that tyrant right there to do his job and go back in the courthouse? >> There's there's no reason to call names and stuff. >> After the way I was just treated, oh dude, I I'm I'm actually been calm compared to the way I was just treated. I will not be bullied. >> Okay, so what is >> standing here with a camera. >> me asking what your intent is here? >> What does it look like like my intent is? >> I honestly have no idea. >> I What am I What am I doing? Let's see. >> Seems like you're here to rile people up and see what kind of reaction you get. >> to nobody. I was quietly filming the outside of this building. The only interaction I had was with this gentleman. It worked out perfectly. He said as long as I'm not in the courthouse, you're fine. I walked around over there. I walked around over here. That's it. >> After the tense confrontation, what seemed like an ordinary conversation suddenly revealed something that left many people stunned. And the admissions that followed completely changed the direction of the entire story. >> I'm not here to argue over the amendments. I I don't I'm not I I don't think you're violating any >> He's trying to demand my ID and I'm telling you that's not going to happen. If you guys are going to arrest >> So, here's the here's the thing. >> You know I'm going to do it >> Hold on. Hold on. Hey, >> hey. You guys go ahead and arrest me because I'm not leaving until I'm done. Can I talk? So, I don't see any reason to identify you right now, okay? However, >> Go back to work, dude. Dude, stop. >> Why why are you talking to him? >> Yeah. >> Hey. >> Tyrant. >> You're You're dismissed. >> see what you're doing? You're trying to rile him up. >> He just pissed me off. >> Yeah, but you're rialing him up. >> I'm not supposed to be upset when he came out here demanding my ID. >> be upset, but there's no reason he's walking away. >> There's no reason for you to sit out here calling him names. >> That's That's That's my prerogative. >> So, you have to have the last word. Sounds like you're an instigator. >> No, you guys are together. I'm an instigator, huh? >> Yeah, so you're one of those, aren't you? >> What? >> You're one of those. Why don't you just go back to work, bro? >> What do you think I'm doing right now? >> Right now, go back to work. You're dismissed. >> Dude, you are fun. Trash. >> No arrest was ever made. But when authority falls into the hands of people who don't fully understand its limits, any innocent citizen can become a target of intimidation and abuse of power. Citizens can sue police [music] under Section 1983 when their rights are violated. Officers who violate those rights may face [music] compensation payouts, disciplinary action, or even termination. When authority is placed above understanding and the law, the greatest danger is not a single incident, but the fact that it could happen again to anyone in society. [music] Hey everyone, what do you think about this situation? If you enjoyed the video, don't forget to like, subscribe, [music] and support us with a donation. Thank you so much.