ACLU Objects After Capitol Hill Police Tell Journalists to Delete Protest Photos

Published on

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

by

Common Dreams

At least one journalist reported being forced to delete his photos of the scene

by

Julia Conley, staff writer

 44 Comments

Reporters alleged that Capitol Police ordered them to stop documenting the protests on Capitol Hill Tuesday. (Photo: Chris Somodevilla/Getty)

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) responded to reports on Tuesday evening from journalists on Capitol Hill, who alleged that Capitol Police were blocking reporters' access as they tried to cover healthcare protests.

ACLU National 

✔@ACLU

Police may not delete photographs without a warrant, period. 
If you think your rights were violated by Capitol Police, contact @ACLU_DC. https://twitter.com/desiderioDC/status/889917508609814532 …

11:39 PM - Jul 25, 2017

Reporters from the Daily Beast, the Huffington Post, the New York Post, and the Washington Post all tweeted from the Senate Gallery that reporters were being prevented from covering the protests. As nearly 100 demonstrators were arrested for protesting the vote to move to a debate on Trumpcare, which would cut health care coverage for up to 32 million Americans, police told reporters not to document the scene.

Mike DeBonis 

✔@mikedebonis

Sergeant at Arms just backed reporters off, called it a 'crime scene.' Protesters have been escorted away.

10:34 PM - Jul 25, 2017

Gabby Morrongiello 

✔@gabriellahope_

Senate gallery staffer tells reporters to "back up" away from protesters who are being arrested. "This is a crime scene"

10:33 PM - Jul 25, 2017 · Washington, DC

Contrary to what the staffers reportedly suggested, there is no blanket law prohibiting the media from covering a "crime scene."

Journalists also wrote that Capitol Police demanded that photos of the protests and arrests be deleted.

Jennifer Bendery 

✔@jbendery

Reporters blocked from Senate halls where protesters being arrested, shouting, "Kill the bill!" Being told, "no photos. Delete your photos."

10:36 PM - Jul 25, 2017

Gabby Morrongiello 

✔@gabriellahope_

Capitol Hill staffer now telling reporters "no photography, no videos" of protestors

10:32 PM - Jul 25, 2017 · Washington, DC

Andrew Desiderio 

✔@desiderioDC

Capitol Police made me delete the video I recorded. https://twitter.com/gabriellahope_/status/889916190835040257 …

10:37 PM - Jul 25, 2017

As the ACLU notes in its online guide for members of the media, "When in public spaces where you are lawfully present you have the right to photograph anything that is in plain view. That includes pictures of federal buildings, transportation facilities, and police...Police may not delete your photographs or video under any circumstances."

The intimidation of journalists has escalated on Capitol Hill in recent weeks as the Senate has inched toward voting on Trumpcare. A female reporter was kicked out of the House Speaker's lobby in June for not adhering to the House's dress code. And after years of being permitted to interview senators in Senate building hallways, reporters were told in June that interviews would no longer be allowed. (The Senate Rules Committee reversed course on this rule following an uproar.)

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