ACLU: Simon Glik did nothing wrong

No one should get arrested for this.

[float=right][/float]Boston police arrested Simon Glik, a young attorney, on charges that sound pretty serious at first: illegal wiretapping, aiding the escape of a prisoner, and disturbing the peace. But all Simon did was hold up his cell phone and openly record Boston police officers making a rough arrest on Boston Common.

Watch our interview with Simon--including video he made of police.

Just last week, we argued in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Boston that police officers violated Simon's right to openly observe and document the conduct of police officers carrying out their duties in a public place. They also violated his right under the Fourth Amendment to be free from an arrest not based on probable cause to believe he had committed a crime.

This isn't just about the rights of one person. Like many ACLU cases, it's about the right we all have to live in a free society under the rule of law. We'll keep you posted about this important case as it moves forward. For now, please watch our video with Simon Glik and ACLU attorney Sarah Wunsch.

ACLU of Massachusetts

P.S. You can also listen to our Civil Liberties Minute podcast about the Glik case.

Blogger's Note: Received via e-mail 6/16/2011 and reprinted because the issue was previously covered at UHub.