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April 15, 2005
Surveillance Should Work Both Ways
I have always been a great believer in the value of political theatre. Therefore, when I read this story in Wired News about a posse of counter-surveillance cameramen walking around Seattle watching the watchers I had to grin.
I was once ordered by a plainclothes Ann Arbor police officer to show her some ID whilst being admonished for jeering and heckling a city council meeting. I figured she was a cop, but just to make it official I said to her, “Who are you? You show me some ID first please.” Instead, though she sprayed me square in the face with pepper spray. The old “non-compliance” thing you know. It didn’t just hit me, but all the people around me too causing a mini stampede for the exits. Upon returning home, I soaked my face in a sink filled with ice water for the next two hours.
Free speech indeed. I can only imagine what officer pig’s reaction would have been if I had shown up to the council meeting with a audio or video recording device which are forbidden by law unless you have approved reporter credentials.
They want, no DEMAND, to record me and my actions, but send armed cops after anyone who wants to record them.
Posted by Ali Massoud at April 15, 2005 12:26 AM
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