Friday, August 31, 2012
NOW WE ARE IN FOR IT! FEMA, POLICE, HOMELAND SECURITY
Steve Watson
and UnScene Tomorrow
Independent Journalists documenting the level of security
theatre surrounding the Republican National Convention in Tampa were threatened
with being “detained for 72 hours” by Homeland Security agents, after they
filmed TSA employees occupying a Greyhound bus station close to the security
perimeter.
The reporters with the Houston Free Thinkers captured video of no
less than five blue shirted TSA workers manning the ticket office at the
station, ready to conduct bag searches and pat downs on bus passengers.
The station, at 610 Polk Street in downtown Tampa, was
adorned with TSA and Homeland Security notices, designating it a high security
screening area.
After filming the TSA workers inside, the reporters turned
their attention to a parked Homeland Security vehicle across the street,
claiming that the agent that sat in the car was taking photographs of them.
Upon crossing the street to ask the agent why he was taking
pictures, two more DHS vehicles pulled up and agents jumped out and immediately
confronted the reporters, asking them for ID.
When the reporters refused to provide ID and asked why they
were being detained, one DHS agent stated “You are filming a federal compound…
that in itself is against the law.”
“The fence?” one reporter questioned.
“Everything behind the fence.” the agent replied, before
again asking the reporter for ID.
When the reporter again questioned why he needed to show ID,
the agent stated “This is not a game, I don’t want you to tell me anything. I
want to see something, or I can hold you for 72 hours, it’s your choice.”
The reporters provided ID in order to avoid detainment, but
made it clear to the DHS officers that they believed the agents were violating
their rights.
Watch the exchange below:
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