Louisiana law that could limit filming of police hampers key tool for racial justice, attorneys say

FILE - Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry speaks during the start of the special session in the House Chamber, Jan. 15, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. Critics have said the law signed this week by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry could hinder the publics ability to film officers. A new Louisiana law that makes it a crime to approach within 25 feet of a police officer under certain circumstances is an affront to the movement for racial justice and violates the First Amendment, civil rights attorneys say.

In a statement at the time, DeSantis drew a distinction with “blue states,” saying Florida would continue to be"the friendliest state in the nation towards our law enforcement community.” But attorneys say states, including Florida and Louisiana, already have laws that criminalize efforts to obstruct police.

At least one other state created a law similar to the ones in Louisiana and Florida. In 2022, Arizona made it illegal to knowingly film a police officer from 8 feet or closer if the officer told the person to stop.of that statute, saying it “prohibits or chills a substantial amount of First Amendment protected activity and is unnecessary to prevent interference with police officers given other Arizona laws in effect.

Courts have been clear that people have a right to observe and film police doing their jobs in public, she said.

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