FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2012
CONTACT:
Jana Kooren, 651.645.4097 x123; jkooren@aclu-mn.org
ACLU asks court to protect the First Amendment, and dismiss charges for lawful behavior
St. Paul, Minn. – American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota is asking the Court to dismiss the charges against Andrew Henderson, who was cited for peaceably filming paramedics and sheriff's deputies in the parking lot of his apartment building. Henderson was charged in fall 2012 with obstruction of justice and disorderly conduct after he passively filmed an interaction between a resident of his apartment building and Ramsey County Sheriff's deputies.
"It is well-established that the First Amendment protects an individual's right to film police and public officials carrying out their public duty," stated Charles Samuelson, Executive Director of the ACLU-MN. "It is unfortunate that the Sheriff's office does not believe in protecting this right, and instead are preventing law abiding citizens from exercising their rights."
A hearing on the motion to dismiss will be held on: Wednesday May 22, at 2:00 p.m. in the Honorable Edward Wilson's Courtroom at the Ramsey County District Court located at 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55102.
ACLU-MN cooperating attorneys are: John Lundquist and Kevin Riach of Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
The ACLU has created a helpful guide for people who wish to photograph or film police activity. To learn about what is permissible you can visit the ACLU's website.