Apparently filming in public is now a crime?
In yet another case of police power tripping for no reason, a man was threatened with arrest — for doing absolutely nothing wrong.
The guy, who was casually recording footage from a public sidewalk (which is 100% legal, by the way), found himself being told by a cop to “go away or get arrested.” No crime. No warning. Just a straight-up threat for existing in the wrong place at the wrong time — while holding a camera.
“I’m just standing here,” the man calmly says in the now-viral clip. “I’m on a public sidewalk. I’m not interfering with anything.”
But the officer wasn’t having it. Despite there being zero disturbance, no restricted area, and no law being broken, the cop doubles down — telling the man to move or face arrest.
And people online are not happy.
“This is straight up harassment,” one commenter wrote. “How do you get arrested for literally standing still?”
Another added: “This is why people film the police. This right here.”
Legal experts have already chimed in to say the man was well within his rights — filming in public spaces is protected under the First Amendment (in the U.S.), and unless he was actively obstructing an investigation or trespassing (he wasn’t), the officer had no legal grounds to threaten arrest.
The video has sparked fresh debate over the abuse of police power and the importance of knowing your rights when dealing with law enforcement.
So far, there’s been no official statement from the department involved, but the clip continues to spread fast — and people are demanding accountability.
Because apparently, in 2025, standing on the sidewalk with a camera is enough to get you cuffed.