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| Photo by Phil Roeder, licensed under Creative Commons |
Journalists photographing a protest in the US Capitol building report that they were told by Capitol Police to delete photos and videos of arrests. The events unfolded yesterday in the third floor Senate wing of the building as demonstrators protested the vote that would begin an effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Protesters chant “kill the bill” and “shame” as senators begin a key procedural vote on the Obamacare repeal bill pic.twitter.com/f7Q9M3uexy
— POLITICO (@politico) July 25, 2017
As police handcuffed and removed protestors from the hallway outside of the Senate chambers, journalists were reportedly told by police to stop taking photos, and were instructed to delete photos and videos they had captured.
Reporters blocked from Senate halls where protesters being arrested, shouting, “Kill the bill!” Being told, “no photos. Delete your photos.”
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) July 25, 2017
Capitol Police made me delete the video I recorded. https://t.co/NQH2fLFYiO
— Andrew Desiderio (@desiderioDC) July 25, 2017
Official policy for press in the Senate Gallery states that photography is indeed prohibited in that area. However, the ACLU spoke up to remind press that police may not force anyone to delete a photo or video without a warrant, no matter the circumstances.
Police may not delete photographs without a warrant, period.
If you think your rights were violated by Capitol Police, contact @ACLU_DC. https://t.co/6fdvuIoOgB
— ACLU National (@ACLU) July 25, 2017
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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