Maxine Waters US Congresswoman - Violated Me

Today I was doing some documentary work for Help-Portrait, an organization that takes free professional photographs of people in need. The event took place at Imperial Courts Recreation Center. Imperial Courts is a public housing project in Watts. U.S. Representative Maxine Waters (D) decided to show up with a voter-registration table in the middle of the the sidewalk. She set up shop right in front of this non-political, non-partisan photography event. Because of her proximity to the event, I initially thought she was there to support the event. So I personally asked Waters if she would like to say anything on video about the volunteer group and their efforts. I was surprised when Waters told me, "No, and you are not allowed to record me. You can only take my photo."

To me, it was a shock that a Democrat would say to the media that she's not allowed to be recorded in public. So I waited a little bit then started to record her. As a result, I was assaulted by two people. In this video she plays it cool in the background, acting like she doesn't object to being recorded, but her supporters carry out her orders, reiterating what she told me earlier, and they move forward towards me, assault me, and begin to swat my camera out of my hands. It's shocking that Waters sits back, pretending like I'm not even there, and does nothing to protect my 1st Amendment rights and arguably 4th, and 5th Amendment rights. Instead she violates them.

Maxine, it's a shame that a wonderful volunteer organization was out there today and you exploited the event, stealing its foot traffic, to hold a self-promotional voter registration drive. The more I think of it, the more absurd it is that you set a desk in the middle of the sidewalk, blocking people from coming in and out of the event, for your own political gain.




I thought you would have something nice to say for the camera about the charity and its efforts. Clearly not, you just wanted to exploit the attendees of the event. However, asserting to someone that you will not be videotaped while campaigning in public is a blatant violation of the Constitution you swore to uphold.

Please note, I am not a representative of Help-Portrait and my opinions and views certainly do not reflect that organization whatsoever.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• maxine waters
• voter registration
• US representative
• freedom of speech
• assault
• ban
• prevented
• footage
• video
• camera
• charity
• freedom of press
• 1st amendment
• watts
• imperial courts
• los angeles
• california

[301steady]

Hey Sonicwave. I'm running for congress against Maxine Waters.

I don't mind you taking my picture :)

Not very interesting really; but, I don't mind.

[TomboysTv]

Not surprising. Another politician who's clueless about her citizen's legal rights.