#Ascension parish sheriff moses black free#

More sunglasses adjustments by officer C. Mostly they just milled around, some with their thumbs in their multi-functional belts. More officers and/or deputies began arriving, though no one seemed really sure what to do about this upstart in their midst. “There’s a law in Louisiana that says you have to identify yourself,” Stromberg said. “I don’t answer questions,” the reporter said.

“Are you from Louisiana?” asked Stromberg – as if that was even relevant. Stromberg, along with Berkholz began shouting and getting into the reporter’s face in an apparent effort to intimidate him. “Transparency, accountability,” was the immediate response.Īnother city officer, L. Dunaway, meanwhile, adjusted his sunglasses. “What’s your point?” Dunaway asked and other officers began gathering, one of whom was videoing the reporter. You’ve gotta learn you can’t be pushing people around like this.” “It may not be usual,” he was told, “but you’d better start getting used to it because people are going to start doing this more and more often.

“What law have I broken?”ĭunaway spoke for the first time then, saying, “I can tell you right now, this is not usual.” “What do I need an ID for?” he was asked. When the reporter attempted to get further clarification as to what was and what was not public property, Berkholz said, “I’m not gonna answer any more questions.” He then asked if the visitor had any identification. “Yes, that is a lawful order,” Berkholz replied, repeating his order – even though it was not by any means a “lawful order.” “Step off the property?” the reporter repeated. Berkholz on his uniform shirt, demanded that the reporter “step off the property” as another, J.B. There was no immediate explanation of why municipal police were guarding a parish sheriff’s office. While initially met by only three officers of the Gonzales Police Department, their paranoia soon saw their number grow to about half-a-dozen fully uniformed officers demanding to know the reporter’s name and business – though he was under no legal obligation to provide any of that information since no laws had been broken. The undated video, taken from the vantage point of the reporter, was shot outside the office of Sheriff Bobby Webre in Gonzales and even though the reporter is obviously violating no law or ordinance, the presence of his camera apparently spooked officers who confronted him. There’s this YouTube platform called We the People University operated by a former police officer and former deputy sheriff named Abiyah Israel, who sends crews out across the country to show how law enforcement officers routinely violate citizens’ rights by enforcing non-existent laws.

#Ascension parish sheriff moses black free#

(The only places where cameras are not allowed are the courtrooms themselves and the clerk of court’s office – clerks of court got themselves exempted a few years back from the public records law which allows the free copying of public records because they like to hit you for a dollar a page.)īut back to our story about the sheriff’s office. Never mind that the sheriff’s office, the accompanying grounds and sidewalks and the Ascension Parish Courthouse are all public property. Apparently, the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office in Gonzales is a restricted area.Įspecially if you’re an unknown who happens to be carrying a camera.