If she asked me to leave a public building, I have to leave? >> Yes. >> Even though I have a right to be here? Even if they ask you leave, yes. It's called trespassing. Once you're asked to leave once and you refuse to do something >> If you tell me you're going to arrest me if I don't leave, I will leave. You give me an order to leave, uh which I would consider an unlawful order and I can handle it in the court system. They ordered him to leave and threatened to slap him in cuffs, but they couldn't even point to a single crime he committed. And that's when the trouble really began. If they Uh-huh. >> They want you to leave and they're willing to press charges on you for trespassing. We are obligated by the state of Texas to give you a warning, let you know, hey, you can leave or we'll arrest you for trespassing. These cops who don't even understand the law forgot one thing. The camera doesn't lie and the legal consequences will hit them faster than they ever expected. Just moments after stepping into the airport, before the camera could even steady, he was immediately threatened with arrest. And then came the chilling words, "Leave or you'll be arrested for trespassing." What is happening in this public place? Hey, sir, what's going on? Hey, how are you? Doing all right. Just a question for you. People thought it was weird that you're here walking around recording and stuff. We're just trying to find out what's going on. Yeah, can I get your names and badge numbers? Yeah, it's all right here. Right here? Yep. Is it like R I G H T? Mhm. W R I G H T? Like What are you talking about? Oh, I thought you said your name was right here. Oh, right there, like Well, no, I'm just recording. Okay. That's it. Okay. Every Is there any I mean, are you got a flight or cuz the people the airport people are just it's strange to them. It's strange? Why Why would it be strange? >> walk around recording like that. Well, why would it be strange? What makes it strange? Well, yeah, I mean, there's paparazzi that's trying to get celebrities. There's a whole list of reasons why somebody would be recording in an airport. I mean, I'm pretty sure people in LAX have cameras out all the time, right? Well, yeah, but they're not walking around filming officers and all the other stuff. They're filming people. Well, I'm not filming officers in particular. If they happen to be on the camera, they happen to be on the camera. That's all. That's what I was just trying to find out. That's all. Right. So, you know. Are you stationed here? Like, are you a Okay. Well, I'm not a threat to anything here at all. This fine? Okay. No, just like I said, they called it just looked odd to them that you were doing that and so Well, there's a million cameras in here. I mean >> No, I know, but they just to them they thought it was odd. They called us. We got to come in just to ask you what's going on. Right. Well, no, well, I I understand you got to ask. I understand. I understand. All right, take care. We got a call, so we need to ask what it is you're actually doing in the airport taking pictures because it's obviously suspicious to take pictures in an airport. Tell that to LAX. Tell that to paparazzi. I could be waiting for a celebrity to be coming out and I know exactly cuz this woman's been following. I know exactly who told law enforcement. It was these two women over here. They approached [music] politely, asking questions, probing, trying to figure out who he was and what he was doing. But it didn't stop there. Someone else stepped in and this time it wasn't casual at all. It felt like an interrogation, zeroing in on why he was filming. And that's why you why you were recording? Who are you, sir? Uh we are airport operations. Airport operations? >> Yes, sir. Well, I'm just recording. That's it. >> Why is that? What's the purpose of you recording? What's the purpose? >> Yeah, I'm just wondering. Well, no, I'm just just getting some shots of the airport. Shots of the airport? Right. >> purpose? My purposes. Your purposes? Right. What do you mean by your purposes? My purposes. >> There's got to be a reason why you're recording. Right, I just told you. >> the reason? Yeah, my my reason is my purposes. I'm taking I just told you I'm taking some video of the airport, the police vehicle over there. I'm sure you saw me take video of the police vehicle, right? Yeah, I don't know why. For what? Do you work here? Are you flying out? Do you have a ticket? Do I work here or am I flying out? No, I don't work here. Are you flying out? I'm working right now. No. What do you mean you're not? I just told you I'm taking some pictures and video for my purposes, for my work purposes. >> This is your work purposes? Do you work for >> Right. I work for myself. >> Media media? I work for myself. Yeah, I'm just taking some B-roll footage of the airport. Wherever the publicly accessible areas take me. For for where where? The publicly accessible areas of the airport. >> Oh, okay. I see what you Yeah, so I'm just getting a little layout of the airport, some B-roll footage. Just in case you didn't know, can I record the whole TSA process? Well, I was already doing that already. >> wondering. I just wanted to Okay. Do you work for TSA? And start and start recording the TSA, you're not allowed to do that. I already I already did. >> Okay. I already did though. Okay. I came out here after I did that. >> Okay. The whole process from You know how you guys got like the like our area up top where you can see everything from at all the TSA process? That's what I did already, yeah. I appreciate the heads up though. I think they already told you about that, didn't they? This is that That's only an exit for that side. It's not an entrance. What are you What are you talking about? Oh, so there's an open door over here, right? Where? Uh right here on the left. You see that sign do not enter? The big red sign that says do not enter? Yeah, so apparently one of the TSA they told me that you were trying to enter there. Um I mean, you can stay up here, but you just can't be in the plane back there. It's only an exit for the guy. Things started heating up fast. It wasn't just curious questions anymore. It was non-stop interrogation. One small move, standing near a red do not enter sign, was enough for them to turn it into a serious issue. And then came the familiar script, pressure, escalation, and getting ready to kick someone out of a public place. Out here cuz this I mean, the TSA Yeah, no, and and I mean, the TSA it's funny because they have a memo on their website that says you're allowed to record security checkpoint and any of the publicly accessible areas. It's like a memo on their website. So, I don't know if they're familiar with that memo or not, but it's on their website, tsa.gov. So, again, I'm I'm not trying to, you know >> I get you, man. Vision's very, you know, like people what's going on Yeah. eyes are coming in. Yeah. I mean, you're not wrong. This is a public area. You can film. There are cameras everywhere. Everything's filming, including my camera. Right. >> it's just try to be mindful about the areas you can take. Right, right, right. Listen, I can read. I'm not going to go into a restricted area. I don't want to go to I don't want to go to jail, so trust >> do it. It's just, you know, I think of uh because they can issue trespassing. So, if they continue to like see you get close, right? They'll try to get the airport employees. It's HAS. They'll try to contact them and they'll try to give you like a verbal trespassing. I mean, they could try. >> I know. They could try. I mean, I have a right to be here like anybody else. >> Yeah, yeah, it is. I'm not I'm not breaking any laws. Yeah, yeah, yeah, he yeah, he talked to me outside, yeah. He stayed calm and respectful, but the more he explained, the heavier the tension got. More people showed up. The tone turned into warnings. Either leave quietly or get pushed into something far more dangerous. Sir. Yeah, who's just roaming around this area, this public area? Um Are they calling again for the same thing? Yeah, yeah, the lady over there did tell me that you got close. You didn't pass, but you just got close. And what they told me again, if you got close, can you go talk to him again? So, I was like Well, I was just reading the signs, sir. That's all I was doing. >> all right. So, this guy like we don't know what's going on. We ain't here to do it. >> No, no, no. No, no, no. I I'm sure you're not, but like I said, it just the the one of the one of the airport operations guys, like you can't film security checkpoint and there's actually a memo on their website, tsa.gov, that's that says you have that's no issue recording them. So, again >> you ran into ran into the different people. You have every right to do it. Yeah. They called. We just got to check it out. I know I get it, sir. No, I get it, sir. I get it 100%. Like I said Well, that's that's on them. So, I'm going to see what they talk about. How you doing today, sir? How are you? Good. Well, only because, sir, if I if I clarify, only because like they have no legal authority. You guys are the ones that are that have the legal authority here. They don't have any legal authority. I'm in a public space. If you tell me you're going to arrest me if I don't leave, I will leave. You give me an order to leave, uh which I would consider an unlawful order and I can handle it in the court system, but I want to make it clear. If you tell me your order, "I'm ordering you leave or you're going to get arrested." I will leave and then I'll take it up with your superiors and the court and and I'll handle that way. >> the only way we can say you that is if they are willing to prosecute for trespassing. They only can say, "Hey, we want you to leave or you'll be trespassing." >> So, so you can trespass people from public? No, no, they do. Once they give the word, then we are legally obligated to say, "Hey, we give you opportunity to leave." Then, if you don't leave after they have trespassed you, then we can arrest you if you refuse. It wasn't just checking things out anymore. It turned into a string of warnings, like if he stayed one more minute, something would happen. And in that moment, the tension exploded. Now, it's the debate everyone argues about. Public space or their property, civil rights or just an excuse to kick someone out. I could be waiting for a celebrity to come through. I'm permitted by the TSA to record. I can show you their memo here. The TSA, which is a federal agency, TSA does not prohibit filming at the security checkpoint. I have a First Amendment right to film in public. So, >> That's what That's That's why I was telling you have every right. But, if But, I don't if you're going to tell me I have to leave, though. >> Okay, I'm trying to I'm trying to I hear you. >> I'm trying to tell you the steps. If they say they want you to leave and they're willing to press charges on you for trespassing, we are obligated given by the state of Texas to give you a warning, let you know, "Hey, you can leave or we'll arrest you for trespassing." It'll be your choice after they say they're willing to prosecute for trespassing. >> Right. Okay. >> saying? You know what I'm saying? Not really. It's public. If I was in a park, who who would You don't have to be really. You can always have >> Yeah, no, right right right. I'm going to tell you how it works with us. So, after they initiate to say the trespassing, then we'll say, "Hey, they're willing to press charges on you for trespassing. Do you want to stay? Do you want to go?" You like, "Oh, no, I want to challenge this." Okay, we're going to arrest you and then you just take it up >> No, I don't need to be arrested to challenge it. But, the threat of the the threat of trespassing >> We just got to enforce what the private This is their property. Even though it's public, it's their property. >> their property. >> Okay. It's not It's like It's like if I was in a public park. If I If I was in city hall, you think city hall could just be like, "I'm going to tell you to leave because I don't like that you're here." They haven't told you anything that I'm doing that is breaking the law. Everything that I'm doing is not only constitutionally protected, it's permitted by the TSA. And that's what you were told to do. We would only do our Well, listen, I want to make it clear. It's not going to be a criminal judge. It'll be a civil judge, not a criminal judge. I will The minute The minute The minute you The minute you tell me, "If you don't leave, I'm going to place you in cuffs. I'm going to leave on a threat of arrest." Make that distinguish between whether that he wants to wants you to stay or leave. They'll be be willing to press charges. That's That's what we're looking at. I understand what you you're wanting, but Yeah, I mean, all I got to say is like you You give the example of a park, but this is a business, right? They're representing the business. What business? Certainly. They're here to make money. They're buying tickets. They're flying in and out. >> Right. There's multiple businesses here. This is a This is funded by taxpayers. The building is funded by taxpayers. To some extent, sure it is. It is. It just is. >> They represent who the people in charge. If you're not here to do anything, I'm just saying I I I I feel I mean, not if I'm not breaking any laws, sir. I I filmed in airports across I've I've filmed in airports across The official warning was read out, cold and final like a sentence, "Leave immediately or be arrested." And that's the moment everyone asks, "Is this security or abuse of power dressed up in legal words?" Up next, after leaving city hall and a calm stop at the police station, he walked into a small post office in Gary, Indiana. It looked quiet and normal until a camera and a simple greeting instantly changed the mood. Hello. Uh I'm sorry. Huh? I'm sorry, ma'am. Who are you? Uh just a member of the public. Well, you're not supposed to go videotaping I do. Uh everything I can see. Okay, I don't want to be on the video. Yeah, you're It's a public I don't want to be on the video. You're not supposed to be on the video. It's a public place. It's a public public place, ma'am. I don't want to be on the video. I don't want to be on the video. It's a public place. Sir, Can I run [clears throat] down this post office? It's Everything in Gary, Indiana looks very run-down. >> [snorts] >> And it's not run-down. Uh it's it's It's the government's fault. It's not the people's fault. The people are doing the best they can. The people in Gary deserve better than than what they have here, for sure. We're still happy with it being open. You satisfied with the way the city is being run? Who do you want to talk to? The conversation. It seemed like harmless small talk, a guy filming an annoyed employee, a few tense words, but then things suddenly escalated fast. Questions came non-stop. Attitude shifted hard. And that's when the real spark ignited. And where are you from? Uh from everywhere. >> [laughter] >> From everywhere. And you decided to videotape the post office. Uh Oh, yes. It's It's all the government facilities in Gary. Oh, okay. Yeah, I just >> already been down there. >> I just went to your city hall. Okay. >> I just went went there already. Yeah. Did you say an audit? Yes. Oh, what's your name? You're Joanne. Nice to meet you, Joanne. I'm I'm I'm I'm a supporter. Oh, great. I love many many many subscriptions and many many many audits. Oh, awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Check out We the People. We the People? We the People or the? The. The People. >> Yes, t h e. Yeah. >> Oh, how to remember. Yeah. I got my phone in the car. That my husband made my second husband made that. Oh, nice. He made that. Nice. Nice. How long have you lived in Gary? Oh my Oh my Hey, well, can you just read this to see if it's still here? Otherwise, I can go home and sit for the mail. That's I just came from the one over there down 40. >> It's closed. Hey, let me do Let me do something for you. I'm not I'm not recording you. No, I know. But, I need you to step over there because this is for my mother. So, I need to get it today. It's >> [music] >> That's what I'm saying. I need you to step outside of the building. You can come back in. Okay. I wish they talked to the government like that instead of us. Yes. [laughter] Yes. Let me Let me do this for you. It's for my mother. We don't care about your mother. Another customer just wanted to handle personal business, but got dragged into the camera war. Then someone said something chilling. She can refuse to serve you because he's recording. And the moment everyone expected finally came. The cops walked in. You think they'd calm things down, but it went the exact opposite way. Hello, ladies. What's going on? Uh you can you can ask her. We'll be asking you. What's going on? I'm simply here documenting my activity here in a public building. She She said she doesn't want to be on camera. That's what she said. Okay. Yeah. All right, but they asked you to leave. So, you can record, right? But, they asked you to leave. Okay. If she asked me to leave a public building, I have to leave. Yes. Even though I have a right to be here? Even if they asked you to leave, yes. It's called trespassing. Once you're asked Okay. It would be the same as if I came to your house and you asked me to leave. If you don't leave, I'm trespassing. But, the difference is this is a public building. My house is private. Okay. She's asking you to leave. She works here. You have to leave. Then if I don't leave, what's going to happen? You'll go to jail for trespassing. Okay. [music] That's what you said telling me. If I don't leave, you're going to arrest me. Okay. What's your name and your badge number? M Gore? Yeah, you got it. 1631. Okay. All right. I I have you on record. Okay. Yeah. You guys just like to violate people's rights, huh? Yeah. >> [screaming] >> It wasn't just a post office argument anymore. It became one intense question. If they tell you to leave, do you have to? And this was only the beginning. Because next he fought back with what cops hate most, demanding a supervisor, asking for the exact crime, and forcing them to explain it on camera. Can you Can you get your supervisor? Yes, I do want a supervisor. Cuz uh I'm not going to let you guys violate my rights today. You have nothing better to do than to violate people's rights. It is. Yeah, we would have told you that you can't record. And then I mean, yeah. But, we said you can't record. But, if they ask you to leave, you got to leave. And you're talking to somebody with a master's degree in criminal justice. You're trying to do this whole little You You violating your Yeah, because for you to trespass me from a public building, I have to break the law. Simply recording is not break It's No, that's a violation of my constitutional right. What What constitutional right is that? Exercising the the First Amendment, freedom of the press. Exercising my constitutional right cannot be construed as a crime. The Supreme Court already ruled on that. You guys should know that as a police officer. You can't do that while you can't commit a crime while trying to exercise your >> Okay, what crime have I committed? That's like you have freedom of That's like saying, "Oh, yeah, I have freedom of expression." That's That's ma'am, that's different. No, it's not different. That's different. It's a freedom of speech. You said You said that you can say what you want. I What What Articulate what crime Articulate what crime I've done. All right, how about this? Wait for a supervisor so we done talking to them yet. Oh, that's that's your That's your That's your right. That's your right. I'm I'm still free to ask my questions. You're right, but I'm going to let you know that you're not going to answer. So, what what what crime have I committed here, man? I can ask. You don't have to answer. I can ask. You're a little You're a little tyrant, are you? You're a little tyrant, huh? Tyrant. Tyrant. You know what that is? Yeah? That's how you guys roll in Gary, huh? That's how you guys roll over here? So, what what crime have I committed here today, man? That I'm being trespassed for. Cuz Cuz you you think a public place is the same as a private private residence. That's pathetic as a police officer for you to think that a public place is the same as a private residence. It says it's It was a It was It was a very It was a very stupid example. Very stupid example. You should know as a police officer there's a difference between a public place and a private place. The public place give means everyone has a right to be there. I don't have a right to be at your home. I have a right to be here. No insults, no disturbance, just filming and demanding clear answers on camera. But the more he asked, the more confused their responses got. And everything hit a whole new level when a higher ranking officer showed up. Suddenly, the situation flipped. Nice to meet you, sir. I'm all right, sir. Yes, sir, I did. So, I was in here just documenting documenting minding my own business. Uh the mail lady told me that I said she doesn't want to be on camera. Right? That's all she said. She does not want to I told her I have the right to be here and document my activity. I've been all over the city. I've been documenting from your city hall, all the government offices. Right? So, she calls the police and they show up. First thing they said was, "Did she ask you to leave?" I'm like, "I didn't even hear her say that." Okay. And then And then they told me that if that I I had to leave because she asked me to leave and then if I don't leave they were going to arrest me. For simply exercising my right in a public That's all That's all I was doing, sir. Just recording, exercising my rights. Sure. Sure. I just want to be able to exercise my rights. I'm not here to cause any trouble. Yeah. Do you know the lady name or what she look like? Uh she's She's the only one that's working there. Yeah. Yeah, white black lady. Yeah. I'll do I'll give you the courtesy and wait out here for you. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. As the tension dies down, the truth starts to surface and the ones who seemed most confident are suddenly the ones forced to back down on camera. It's a quiet ending, but one that sticks with you and it can go further than just a video. Citizens can sue under section 1983 when their rights are violated. Officers who cross the line may face civil damages and even discipline or termination. If we want a better society, it starts with something that should be simple. Respect the truth, respect human rights, >> [music] >> and put ethics above power. Hey, everyone. What do you think about this situation? If you enjoyed the video, don't forget to like, subscribe, and support us with a donation. Thank you so much. >> [music]