Sacramento Cops Block Journalists

The Sacramento Police were clearing a large homeless camp in the city.

When the media showed up to cover the story, the police set up a police line to keep Journalists away from the sweep.

The Sacramento Bee reports that when a Bee reporter and photojournalist walked past the tape, officers within seconds ordered them to walk back behind the tape or risk arrest.

“If you’re obstructing police then yes you are subject to arrest under 148(a)(1) Penal Code,” Sacramento police Officer Nicholas Raleigh said.

When the journalists said they would not interfere with the operation, the officers again ordered them to walk back behind the tape.

David Loy, attorney for the First Amendment Coalition, said it appears the city may have violated state law by severely restricting media access to the camp.

“I have very substantial concerns this violates the First Amendment,” Loy said. “The press and public have the right to record police from a reasonable distance. They cannot interfere with operations but they have a right to observe. This sounds like an excessive restriction on the right to record and cover police activities ... I don’t see how they can close off an entire block.”

“The city cannot prevent journalists from covering its camp-clearing efforts from out of the way, public places for no good reason,” Field said. “However, that is unfortunately what appears to have happened here,” said attorney Aaron Field.

Spokespeople for the city and its police department did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.