The use of cell phones and video can attempt to stop police brutality. Luis Paulino’s August 2012 beating by NYPD officers was captured on video and posted online. The video shows officers throwing Paulino to the ground. Several officers punch him repeatedly. According to Paulino, the officers started in on him after he saw them violently beating another young black man on the sidewalk. In the background, a male can be heard encouraging people to record what was happening and yelling, “He didn’t do nothing!” For Paulino, the video proved to be vindicating. He was initially charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstructing a government official, but all charges were dropped. Without the video, “there wouldn’t have been anything but my word against 15 police officers,” Paulino told journalist Soledad O’Brien.
Article 9 of the Declaration of Human Rights states that, “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.”
Photographing things that are plainly visible from public spaces is a “constitutional right” and that this includes “federal buildings, transportation facilities, and police and other government officials carrying out their duties.” People have the right to record anything they see and the police do not have the right to confiscate any video being taken without a warrant.
I believe the use of cell phones and taking videos when events like Paulino’s occur, can attempt to stop brutal acts on citizens from police officers. Do you believe the police authorities should be punished when they are brutally attacking an innocent citizen? Do you believe that by using video and recordings this problem with brutal attacks from law enforcement could become better or come to a full stop?
http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/18/us/police-cell-phone-videos/index.html?hpt=hp_t4
Peace Studies & Human Rights 