Videotaping of protests questioned by legal scholars

The videotaping of lawful conduct at rallies and marches by police and other agencies this week has prompted questions from legal observers. Yesterday, for example, four police officers videotaped a rally of about 100 people outside federal immigration headquarters in lower Manhattan. In addition, a Parks Department deputy inspector taped protesters at Columbus Park downtown. Civil libertarians have questioned whether the taping, which has been observed at every protest, is within the Handschu guidelines, a 33-year-old court settlement that details rules for monitoring political activity. The libertarians say police cannot videotape marchers unless there is unlawful conduct, but police have said they can tape anyone in a public place. "It's clear that there is pervasive videotaping and photographing," said Christopher Dunn of the New York Civil Liberties Union. "The city has yet to tell us the purpose of the taping or what they will do with the tapes afterward. But if it is to compile information about lawful protests, that would be improper and unlawful." [more ]

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