Veterans removed & Camera taken from the Veterans Hospital on Veterans Day
I said - “A right to privacy only exists when they have an expectation of privacy. And, per the law, no individual has the right to privacy in places where people gather out in the open. This, the outside of a hospital, is an open space where people come. It would be different if he took his pictures inside the hospital. Then you would be right. Since he did not, you are not. So please give my friend back his camera.”
Captain R. Ruiz badge number 546 replied -” Do you want to be arrested”
I said -“No, I am merely pointing out that you are not allowed to take his camera”
Captain R. Ruiz badge number 546 replied -“Well it’s a law, you can’t film without consent”
I said “That’s not true, as long as it’s outside you can”
Captain R. Ruiz badge number 546 replied - “Well it’s the law, you’re not allowed to take pictures on federal property
I said - “that’s not true ether. If it can be seen out in the open, and people gather there, video or film is allowed. That’s the LAW. That’s the way it is. The public can come and stand where I’m standing. Since they can, they can also take pictures. You are lying. You are steeling my friend’s camera. Way are you steeling his property?”
Captain R. Ruiz badge number 546 replied - ” Listen, You better get out of here before I arrest you” It is a policy of this hospital, so you aren’t getting the fucking camera”
So I replied - “A policy isn’t a law, you can’t take personal property due to policy. We will erase the Picture. But what you are doing is illegal. Please give my friend back his camera.” We chose to leave but are filing a writ on Monday to prevent them from erasing the camera.
They probably erased it already though. My rights as an American have been violated. If we had more people, we wouldn’t have left. So, the federal police kicked veterans off of veteran land, on Veterans Day with no authority to do so. Happy Veterans Day!
Joshua Taylor