Free State vs. Police State

While photographing the Port of Long Beach refineries a group of photographers were confronted by a security guard and were told it was illegal to photograph oil refineries.

Shortly after the encounter with the security guard(which can be seen at "I Don't Care About the Law") 4 Harbor Patrol units (which, according to them, aren't actual police) engaged us saying they were responding to a physical and verbal confrontation.

During the predominantly pleasant encounter the officer attempted to gain our information surreptitiously via our license plate numbers -- which is a tactic used by law enforcement when they can not legally ask for your ID. So far, we know of two photographers who have been visited by FBI when law enforcement has used this method to determine who they were.

One of the Harbor Patrol officers also stated that we should have notified them that we were coming.

However, this is not a police state and what were doing was perfectly legal. We do not have to notify anybody.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• long beach
• oil refinery
• police
• harbor patrol
• photography
• photographers' rights
• california
• cops

[keepinmyhustle]

your a dumb fuck in fact in a time like now they could have done w.e they wanted thats sketchy activity they have the right to question you, the cop was being very polite i ust ad and they dont run your plates just to see what your name is they run them to see if you have a criminal record to PROTECT people so stop giving them a hard time for your gay fucking pictures you fucking twat.

[discarted]

@keepinmyhustle

they do have the right to ask people questions on a public sidewalk. it's called free speech protected by the 1st Amendment. although we have the right to tell them to fuck off and not answer of their questions. public photography is not a criminal act or grounds for detainment

you seemed to know everything, but the port guards do try to get your plate number so they can give it to the FBI. it's fact. two of us have already been visited.

i called them on it and they knew it.

[keepinmyhustle]

@discarted i dont know everything i still have a lot to learn but they are just trying to protect people like yea they are going to give it to the fbi just incase somthing happens to that refinery than they know who to question, like get over it i know its sad people arent even allowed to shoot fireworks off for 4th of july like yea its pathetic that we are living in such fear but you need to understand where they are coming from.

[discarted]

@keepinmyhustle

then offer up your info so we can know you're not a threat since sheeples are the worst possible threats to everyone else who can think clearly and independently

[StuntmanSam07]

Um why were you photographing refineries anyway? lets say someone else did that and the next week they blew up the place pple would then say why the hell didn't the cops respond to such wierd behavour at a place like that. I am happy the cops came, your an idiot, lame video and does not show that itsa police state.

[discarted]

@StuntmanSam07

likewise sheeple

and it's "you're"

[manotoshi]

This is called Oppression and pure harrassment. They are acting like Iran or China....really you are not Free in the United States. you are a State Police. Do not call yourself a Democratic country.....

[ridesdeepsnow1]

@tx613 this guy is always an ass. look at his other videos. always out looking for trouble. whining about being treated unfairly by injecting into their privacy or looking super suspicious

[ridesdeepsnow1]

@keepinmyhustle this jerkoff is a conspiracy theorist. everyone is out to get his "rights", you know rights to photograph questionable places in a time of heightened security, but he doesn't give a shit. You know taking pictures of refineries is his passion, he wouldn't be there just to test the people paid to protect out national interests or anything.

[tx613]

@ironmanACDC13 Let Me Tell You Dumb Ass They Could Have Been Taking Pic And Planing Attack That Simple You Know Its Not Like The Took There Damn Blood

[ironmanACDC123]

@tx613 how is photographing a threat

[vsmith3rd]

I've been watching your vids, and I applaud your work. It's a real danger when police either don't know the law, or purposely abuse it. It's equally dangerous when the citizen populace allow such practices. Sheep indeed. BRAVO.