Why I Was Arrested Yesterday at a D.C. Taxi Commission Meeting

[harvey007]

Run time: 05:05 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfoYSrjNvjQ   Posted on YouTube: June 22, 2011 By YouTube Member: ReasonTV Views on YouTube: 88395   Posted on DU: June 25, 2011 By DU Member: harvey007 Views on DU: 1074

 

[mzteris]

1. what reason did they give? n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. An explanation would help:

On June 22, 2011, I attended a meeting of the D.C. Taxi Commission for a story I'm currently working on about a proposed medallion system in the district.

About half-an-hour into the meeting, I witnessed journalist Pete Tucker snap a still photo of the proceedings on his camera phone. A few minutes later, two police officers arrested Tucker. I filmed Tucker's arrest and the audience's subsequent outrage using my iphone.

A few minutes later, as I was attempting to leave the building, I overheard the female officer who had arrested Tucker promise a woman, who I presumed to be an employee of the Taxi Commission, that she would confiscate my phone. Reason intern Kyle Blaine, overheard her say, "Do you want his phone? I can get his phone."

(The woman who was given assurances by the officer that she could have
my phone can be seen at the end of the video telling me, "You do not
have permission to record this!")

As I tried to leave, I was told by the same blond female officer to "stay put." I told her I was leaving and attempted to exit the building. I was then surrounded by officers, and told to remain still or I would be arrested.

I didn't move, but I tried to get the attention of a group of cab drivers who were standing nearby. At this point I was arrested.

I spent the remainder of the day in a cell in the basement of the building. I was released at about 4PM.

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Need more info

am not getting the "why" part...

[redwitch]

4. What preceded the arrest?

I saw no reason for the arrest from the video. :shrug:

[harvey007]

5. Washington Post columnist wrote this

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-taxicab-commissioner-seems-to-have-an-issue-with-freedom-of-the-press/2011/06/22/AGF8bMgH_story.html

[Lasher]

6. They were arrested for refusing to turn off their voice recorder.

So the question is, did they have a legal right to record the proceedings?

[harvey007]

7. I'm not a lawyer, but....

A quick perusal of the law indicates there is no D.C. regulation or law on the subject of the media's right to record at a public meeting, so this might make a good test case!

See section under "Open meetings...recording/broadcast of meetings."

http://www.rcfp.org/ogg/index.php?op=browse&state=DC

Also see: http://www.dcogc.org/open_meetings_guide

[bahrbearian]

8. Good Job , too bad you had to be arrested but you got the message out.

[harvey007]

9. Not me

The Youtube video was apparently posted by one of the reporters who got arrested. Their names are Pete Tucker and Jim Epstein.

Yours truly is neither of them.

[bahrbearian]

11. Oh sorry I thought I'd try to "out" you

:hi:

[Lasher]

10. I hope you're right.

I hate brownshirts.