Please be safe if you are attending protests. But also, let’s hold these cops to justice.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🧵" title="Thread" aria-label="Emoji: Thread"> How to film and record police misconduct legally and ethically.
#BLACK_LIVES_MATTER
All points here are pulled from the Teen Vogue article I RT’d earlier, as well as the ACLU, EFF, and WITNESS human rights organizations. This is just another format for info that might be more accessible to the bit of platform I have. I will link those resources at the end.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⚠️" title="Warning sign" aria-label="Emoji: Warning sign"> SAFETY FIRST
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Filming can put you and the victims of brutality in danger if done incorrectly. There are other ways to bear witness, if that will not put your life in danger.
Stay updated about risks online. There are reports of rooftop cops and ICE involvement. Be careful.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🏛" title="Classical building" aria-label="Emoji: Classical building"> KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
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From the ACLU on filming at a protest:
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> You can photograph anything in plain view, including federal buildings and the police, when lawfully present in public spaces (this may differ on private property, so please check).
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Police cannot confiscate or demand to view photo/video without a warrant. However, they may order citizens to cease if it is “interfering”—which of course is up to them.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙄" title="Face with rolling eyes" aria-label="Emoji: Face with rolling eyes"> More on what to do if a cop decides you’re interfering later on.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> If filming video, be aware there is an important legal distinction between the visual portion (fully protected) and the audio portion (which some states try to regulate under wiretapping laws). +
+ Audibly state that you are recording when you are filming. This should cover the eleven states that require all-party consent. Generally, it is permitted to record if all parties are aware it is being recorded. If they keep going, that’s on them.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔒" title="Lock" aria-label="Emoji: Lock"> PASSCODE LOCK YOUR PHONE
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Lock your phone with at least a six-digit passcode. Courts have mostly ruled that you do not need to give up a PASSCODE, but they’ve ruled both ways for biometric data (Touch ID, Face ID, pattern lock). Passcode is safest.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="☁️" title="Cloud" aria-label="Emoji: Cloud"> CLOUD BACKUP
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Set your phone to automatically backup to a cloud service. Even if they break/take your phone, you’ll still have a backup to work with. While law enforcement can still request data, Google, Apple, and Dropbox require a proper warrant and will inform the user.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤔" title="Thinking face" aria-label="Emoji: Thinking face"> PREPARE BEFORE YOU GO
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤔" title="Thinking face" aria-label="Emoji: Thinking face">
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Have legal support or a trusted contact’s info ready.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Charge batteries and free up storage space.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Encrypt/delete sensitive data.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Bring a pen and paper.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Hide your identity. Surveillance tech can easily track you down after the protest.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⚖️" title="Scales" aria-label="Emoji: Scales"> EFFECTIVE EVIDENCE
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To hold someone accountable, lawyers need to be able to prove WHAT crime took place, WHO committed the crime, and HOW it was committed. Keep these in mind when filming, and make what could become potential evidence very clear.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔴" title="Red circle" aria-label="Emoji: Red circle"> LIVESTREAMING
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If you are livestreaming, remember that livestreaming can expose location details, identities, protestor tactics, and other sensitive information much easier than regular recorded video. Be mindful of that as you record.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎥" title="Movie camera" aria-label="Emoji: Movie camera"> RECORDING BASICS
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎥" title="Movie camera" aria-label="Emoji: Movie camera">
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Film in landscape to get a wider view.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> If possible, try to hold shots for at least ten seconds before moving.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Use slow and steady pans instead of quick, jerky movements.
(Obviously, safety still first. If you need to run away, RUN.)
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Start the recording by stating the date, time, and location. If you need to stay anonymous, write this info on a paper and hold it up in front of the camera for ten seconds, or film something that shows this info (e.g. a clock).
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⭐️" title="Medium star" aria-label="Emoji: Medium star"> CONFIRM GENUINE FOOTAGE
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https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Film landmarks, street signs, or buildings to confirm location.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Film a clock or phone home screen to confirm date and time.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Film continuously instead of starting and stopping to fight claims of editing/manipulating footage.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎙" title="Studio microphone" aria-label="Emoji: Studio microphone"> NARRATION BASICS
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎙" title="Studio microphone" aria-label="Emoji: Studio microphone">
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Stay factual. Try to keep emotions in check if narrating.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Focus on key details—time, date, location, officer names, license plates and badges. Think sports commentator.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Do not allege anything about the info of the victims. Stick with known facts.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> If livestreaming, repeat key details for new viewers.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> If violence occurs, stay calm and quiet. Lawyers and investigators need to clearly see and hear what’s happening if this is to be used as evidence. Let the footage speak for itself.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👮🏻♂️" title="Man police officer (light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Man police officer (light skin tone)"> FILMING POLICE MISCONDUCT
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👮🏻♂️" title="Man police officer (light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Man police officer (light skin tone)">
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Try to stay 6 feet away.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> If a cop tells you to back up, comply and make that clear. Film your feet and vocally state, “I am complying with orders.”
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> If a cop tells you to stop recording, you can keep going if you’re comfortable doing so.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⛔️" title="No entry" aria-label="Emoji: No entry"> IF THEY STOP YOU
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⛔️" title="No entry" aria-label="Emoji: No entry">
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Remain calm. Do not physically resist. They are looking for an excuse to attack you.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Ask the officer if you are free to leave. Calmly walk away if the answer is yes.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Take down information when it is safe to do so.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚔" title="Oncoming police car" aria-label="Emoji: Oncoming police car"> IF THEY ARREST YOU
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚔" title="Oncoming police car" aria-label="Emoji: Oncoming police car">
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Police cannot detain you unless there’s reasonable suspicion you’re about to commit a crime.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Calmly ask what crime they suspect you’re committing. Recording is your right under the 1st amendment, and that does not qualify as reasonable suspicion.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⏯" title="Right-pointing triangle with double vertical bar" aria-label="Emoji: Right-pointing triangle with double vertical bar"> AFTER FILMING
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https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Take care of yourself and each other. You just witnessed something traumatic.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Get consent of filmed parties, if possible.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Blur identities if needed.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> If you were broadcasting, save the video to your device.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📱" title="Mobile phone" aria-label="Emoji: Mobile phone"> SHARING FOOTAGE
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="📱" title="Mobile phone" aria-label="Emoji: Mobile phone">
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Post strategically. It’s usually fine, but posting immediately on social media might not always be the most effective. It could be more tactical to release footage to combat the police’s official statements (see the case of Walter Scott).
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> Consider having a journalist or an advocacy group post for you if you wish to remain anonymous. Having your name tied to a video may put you at risk of further harassment from police or online trolls.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="White heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: White heavy check mark"> If sharing with a lawyer, send completely unedited footage (even down to the file name). Any edits can be made on a copy of the footage, but the video has a higher chance of being usable in a legal proceeding if it’s unedited.
I have donated to funds and spread resources to my own circles, but my small platform here has always prioritized correct and usable info, first and foremost. That is what I hope this thread provides.
Please stay safe, everyone. I believe in the power of the people.
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