Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has signed legislation making it a crime to knowingly approach within 25 feet of a police officer while they are “engaged in law enforcement duties” after the officer has ordered the person to stay back.

Critics of a new Louisiana law, which makes it a crime to approach within 25 feet (7.6 meters) of a police officer under certain circumstances, fear that the measure could hinder the public’s ability to film officers — a tool that has increasingly been used to hold police accountable.

Under the law, anyone who is convicted of “knowingly or intentionally” approaching an officer, who is “lawfully engaged in the execution of his official duties,” and after being ordered to “stop approaching or retreat” faces up to a $500 fine, up to 60 days in jail or both. The law was signed by Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, Tuesday and goes into effect Aug. 1.

While the legislation’s language does not specifically mention filming, critics say that by default it would limit how close a person can be to observe police. Opponents have also gone further to question the law’s constitutionality, saying it could impede on a person’s First Amendment rights.

  • @[email protected]
    11•6 months ago

    My friends sister lives in an area where you’re never more than a minute away from a cop sitting somewhere looking to collect taxes give a ticket. She literally watched someone pull out of her driveway in her car and immediately called the cops. The car couldn’t have been more than 1 block away and they said “sorry can’t help you, call your insurance.”

    I drove to target and saw 6 cop cars and probably a dozen cops all holding on or standing near a guy with a bag who stole something…

    They’re fucking useless pet executioners, tax collectors, and defenders of obscene wealth.

    • @skyspydude1
      3•6 months ago

      This is blatantly false and I won’t stand for the sullying of taxes like that.

      Taxes are (generally) distributed to the community and not just straight to the justice system, and the IRS is actually willing to work on improving things and working with people. I’m also pretty confident the IRS is definitely on the lower end of the doggo body count compared to a lot of the other 3-letter agencies.

      • @[email protected]
        3•6 months ago

        Lol I appreciate your rightful defense of taxes and the IRS. I was just “joking” about how cops aren’t here to help or protect us, they are here to extract more money from us and to protect the wealthy. The IRS is it’s own thing and definitely needed.

        :P