A video making the rounds on social media is giving people serious know-your-rights energy after a guy calmly filming outside a store got confronted by the owner… only for the police to totally back him up.
It starts off simple: just a guy with a camera, minding his own business, recording in a public space — something people do a million times a day. But apparently, this didn’t sit well with the local store owner, who stormed out and demanded he stop filming.
“You can’t film here, this is private property!” she says, visibly frustrated.
Only… it wasn’t. The guy was on the sidewalk, a public space, and made it clear he wasn’t stepping onto her property. But the owner wasn’t having any of it. In full Karen-mode, she whips out her phone and calls the police.
Big mistake.
When officers show up, the vibe shifts completely. After a quick chat, the cops confirm what most people already know: if you’re in public, you have every right to record — even if it makes someone uncomfortable.
“We can’t stop him,” one of the officers tells the owner. “As long as he’s not harassing anyone or stepping on private property, he’s within his rights.”
Oof.
The clip ends with the guy thanking the officers and continuing to film, while the store owner walks off looking more than a little annoyed.
Since the video hit platforms like TikTok and Reddit, it’s been blowing up, with thousands praising the man for staying calm and informed, and calling out the owner for trying to police something she clearly didn’t understand.
One comment nailed it: “Imagine calling the cops and THEY explain the law to you. Embarrassing.”
Moral of the story? Know your rights — and maybe don’t call the cops unless you actually know what the law says.