Auditors vow to descend on CT if law passed putting rules on First Amendment

It was shortly before Christmas when a team calling themselves First Amendment auditors entered the Ridgefield Town Hall with cameras and started interacting with government officials.

“Can you please shut that off?” said town employee Patricia Pacheco. “No, that's silly,” said Josh Abrams. “What do you mean no, get out of here!” exclaimed Pacheco.

Pacheco, a town employee, eventually hit the panic button under her desk as the interaction between her and Abrams escalated. At one point, Pacheco took a folder and hit Abrams.

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[christopheraaron]

"They don't exercise their rights the way we want them to, so we're gonna pass a law that's in direct conflict with the Constitution."
Can't do it. Such a law will absolutely be struck down by the courts.

[danielroyer]

Sounds like Patty Callahan doesn't like the constitution. Needs ousted

[MichaelBoyer-lmbw]

Well of course Satan's helpers would drop charges against one of their own

[DefiantSix]

Arizona tried a similar BS law last year, and got it slapped down in federal court before it had been in effect for 24 hours.

Expect the same for your violation of the Constitution, legislator.

[Davidlyle]

Well, is was possible that the auditors found someone that didn’t want to be on camera.

I mean it WAS the case before, regrettably that ship has sailed. There isn’t really any question that there is criminal activity in that office and they are calling in favors (or maybe blackmail.) to hide a more extensive criminal activity.

Probably need to put the place under surveillance and audit the books.

[chrisw]

Right away he says DEMOCRACY... No we live in a CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC.

[sydneysue]

Let’s make a law that the police should call up a criminal and let them know they are coming with a search warrant . Right that makes sense!

[TheIroncross]

Rights are rights because you don't have to ask permission, or call in advance, or listen what petty tyrants masquerading as politicians think.

[mystery]

The first amendment is that absolute not appointment needed. By the way this mainstream media just made money from this story.

[jbtpa]

So the health department should let restaurants know before they show up? They only way we can redress our government is to know what they're really doing.

[frankparady]

Simple test.... reverse the roles.... if the auditor had done that to the clerk, hit her with a file folder or something similar, what would have happened? And arrest and a likely prosecution.... how can she be held to a different, LOWER standard of behavior, as the public servant, rather than the private citizen? No state statute can be contrary to the Constitution.... uphold the people's right to hold government officials at any level accountable but recording our interactions with them.... it's called freedom!

[UseroneGaming]

If you think a journalist is trying to start a fight by filming, you shouldn’t be a cop.

[germaninsider]

always this "stick camera 5inch of your face" nonsense, this never happens, even in the video it shows josh was far away and she CAME UP TO HIM.

[nicholastheofrastou]

Not an auditor. But you better believe I will be out there EVERY DAY if this violation of a law passes.

[ThinkingDoesMakeMeImportant]

The government worker was not charged with disorderly conduct because the corrupt DA said that he wouldn't prosecute fellow members of the government.

[fettel]

Never thought I'd see this country be threatened with FREEDOM but here we are.

[jorgemede]

It's not called Corrupticut for no reason.

[ReganBenson]

Good reporting. The people are allowing government WAY too much control and secrecy.
Government is surveilling the people at alarming rates while simultaneously trampling our rights to record them.
What could go wrong?
You’re watching it.

[circlethewagons]

"Call ahead for an appointment" he said. An unannounced visit is the only way to audit, me thinks.imo

[prophetseven]

The Cop should be charged. He broke his Oath!