Teen arrested for recording and asking cop about unwarranted raids

Every now and then, we see some video pop up showing an illegal arrest by some fascist cop who doesn’t like that people have the right to videotape on-duty officers. But rarely do we get to find out what happens next – and even rarer is the victim who not only fully knows his own legal rights, but is able to share the news around and raise awareness about the growing Police State of America. Oh, and this one’s 17, which is just awesome:

From the YouTube page:

On May 6th I began shooting film for a new video project about unwarranted raids in Wahpeton nd, I was standing on a public street filming a notorious officer (Dustin Hill) who commonly practices unwarranted searches and seizures. He asked if I 'needed something' I responded by telling him 'no, I'm just filming a story about unwarranted raids in wahpeton' . He immediately placed me under arrest for interfering with a police investigation, or hindering as he also coined it. There was no investigation going on, he was simply talking to a citizen on public property. I was taken into an interview room where I remained cuffed for roughly an hour, I was questioned by an officer without ever being read my miranda rights while he harrassed and grilled me. After telling him the United States Constitution gives me the right to film in public he left, he returned after a long period of time and told me to stand up so he could remove my cuffs. I was then told to grab my camera and leave, and notified that I had 'Pissed Dustin Hill Off' I was released with NO CHARGES and my parents were never notified of my detainment, this is Orwellian authoritarian tactics of detaining a minor illegally for exercising his rights to intimidate him. I'm currently looking for the most effective avenue to seek legal action against the department but I would encourage anyone who is concerned about this issue to RESPECTFULLY and PROFESSIONALLY contact the Wahpeton ND police dept at 701-642-7722 and voice your concerns . One act of disobeying the constitution under the protection of a shiny badge, is a strike against the rights of all men and women. I hope you will all stand with me in this fight against those who seek to overstrectch the boundaries of authority.

Robert Wanek,
Thank you

Major kudos to Robert for his bravery and cool-headedness. The more attention this gets, the more likely it is that he’ll receive justice, along with everyone else being treated as criminals for merely exercising their clear and court-upheld rights.

(via @todayspolitics)