Pixiq

Haha, unfortunately the nation probably thinks you are the jerk here when you are really fighting for their rights to film in public.

The security got what was coming to him. I would do the same if anyone (security guard or not) put their hands on me unprovoked. It’s a reaction.

The first comment is dead on. If people don’t stand up for the rights we have left then they will diminish.

I can’t wait to see the “haters” start to emerge here. I’m sure they will say that you were starting the fight, but what they don’t understand is that you sometimes have to take the fight to them to get things done. They are the ones that are content with their rights being taken away in the name of protection. They are the weak sheep that think “Big Brother” knows best. They are also the ones that will wish the camera was rolling when they become a victim.

Keep fighting the good fight, friend.

Sue ‘em.

I’ve been waiting to see the HDNET video of this ever since you blogged about this a couple of posts ago.

I am impressed with what you did for a few reasons. First, you had a news crew with you that had their cameras rolling. Second, you were smiling and being amicable. Third, when the beret-wearing guard struck you, you struck back.

That last item is very important because it gives a moment in time that shows we (you) will not only fight tyranny with a blog that hopes for mainstream media attention, but also that the struggle for first amendment rights has teeth and claws.

Blocking your lens is one thing, but actually, physically stomping on any American rights will earn an oppressor a swift and justified crack on the jaw is the lesson to be learned here.
Rob recently posted..San Diego Trolley Guards Prohibit Photography

Once they touched you for doing nothing unlawful, you had the right to defend yourself.

You had two people armed with clubs chasing you around and touching you rather aggressively. You had all the right in the world to lay one or both of them out.

I bet that security guard, sadly, sues you. I hope to God you sue the private security firm and the city (the latter will be tougher).

Keep up the great work, Carlos.

On a side note, I was with some HDNet producers last night in Chicago and we were talking about your story/situation.

Mike S

If I was there I’d have beat the crap out of both of them, taken that baton and crammed it so far up his ass he’d talk with a lisp.

It is to bad that Florida is not an open carry state, I am sure if you open carried, if you were armed I bet LEO’s would be less likely to violate your rights I can’t wait for the HDNet piece to come out.

This reminded me of what my brother use to do when we were 8. The only thing missing was carlos saying “I’m not touching you I’m not touching you”. If you think this video will help your cause I think you are mistaken. This kind of childish behavior may get your name out there but its only going to hurt what you clain your trying to do.

I wonder how long it will be until real photographers/journalist will stop associating with you. I was embarassed for you watching that video.

On a side note I’m glad your not a cop after seeing how easily you lose your temper. I would hate to see what you would do if somebody really tried to assault you, spit on you, ran from you, pulled a knife or a gun on you or some of the other shit cops have to deal with everyday. I think you would be one of the bad cops your always crying about.

One would hope the fat guard who got the clocking he deserved would be too embarrassed to sue, based on the dumb beret and glove alone.

But alas, such stupidity often knows no shame.
Michaelk42 recently posted..Unsurprisingly- Pogan gets no real punishment

@oscar

LOL. Yeah, it’s totally Carlos taunting the guards there, not them bumbling around harassing him. It’s totally not the case that if the guards were actually doing their jobs, they wouldn’t need to bother Carlos at all.
Michaelk42 recently posted..Unsurprisingly- Pogan gets no real punishment

Mike, I’m not saying the guards didn’t look like idiots to.

@Oscar

But you are accusing Carlos of taunting the guards and instigating – which he was clearly not doing – and accusing him of not being a “real” photographer/journalist.

Which you really have no business doing.
Michaelk42 recently posted..Unsurprisingly- Pogan gets no real punishment

Retractable baton or not, I woulda laid that guard on the floor. He’s got a death wish if he continues to approach someone after getting slugged.

Why do so many people think this is anti-cop or anti-authority?

I’m not against cops, I’m against BAD cops/authority figures that don’t know the law or choose to ignore the law.

As far as him looking like he’s 8, I actually have to agree, but what’s the harm in some good childish LEGAL fun at the expense of some asshat that took a security guard job to compensate for a traumatic childhood and a tiny penis?

If you claim you WOULDN’T retaliate then you are either a liar or a weak willed handjob of a human being that thinks anyone in a costume has the right to put their hands on you.

Imagine one-glove in an encounter with a determined felon.

@not fat enuff

HAH! True…or *gasp* an actual terrorist.

I thought that bullfighting was illegal.

Nice punch!

Carlos,

You rock, man. The 1st Amendment needs you.
Bradley Jardis recently posted..Heika’s Letter to the Editor

Yeah, definitely get 20 or more camera-holders
down there at the station and have some fun with these 1-st Amendment-ignorant goons.
It will become international youtube
entertainment and another example of
dissolution of our rights here in the so-called
Land of the Free.

Good job Carlos. Ignore oscar, he is trying to defend the indefensible.

I really can’t wait to see the report of your flash mob.

Carlos: What legal options are your pursuing? Have you gotten wind of any being planned against you?

Carlos, I am glad you put some things in context here, because when i saw the video that was linked to a day or two ago, there was obviously a large amount missing. They wouldn’t let you walk further into the station, and they didn’t actually say “leave” – more like “stop filmin me!” and stuff. and beret guard, was he the one that originally took your camera? If so, i don’t get why he came back for seconds… what was the glove for, to strip search you? I really don’t get his angle… He shouldn’t be a guard.

What are “security guards” rights in regards to using physical force? I don’t get it. Isn’t what Mr. Glove did assault and battery? Does he just get to do whatever he wants because he wears a fancy uniform?

I think next time you should approach them with a camera, but also wearing some kind of security or other official looking outfit along with a shiny badge or something. At least that way, people who see this kind of thing won’t have the automatic reaction that one side somehow magically has the right to attack.
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The guards represent the operator of the venue, and if you break the rules of the Metro, like tagging on the walls or smoking, I’m sure they have the right evict you, they can take you by the arm and walk you out.

When it comes to punching someone, that’s something anyone can do. As long as it is in self defense. Which is why Carlos Miller could hit the security guard, as he was assaulted by said guard. The guard had no reason to claim self defense, ie., him hitting Carlos Miller was not self defense, it was assault.

Read this: Florida Statutes 810.08/09

All Miami-Dade Transit Agency transit security officers,as official representatives of Miami-Dade County,are authorized to advise any person to leave these premises or conveyance.Failure to leave these premises or coneyance after being instructed to do so may result in an arrest for trespass after warning.This authorization includes the use of such physical force as reasonably appears necessary to eject any person who refuses to obey these orders to vacate the premises.

You put a camera in my face against my will,you are causing a disturbance.Which gives the guard the right to eject anyone out of the station…Carlos WAS FUCKING WRONG. THINK ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!

Sorry PINGU he wasnt evicted from the premises UNTILL THE GUARD HIT HIM. Dumb ass watch the footage again.

“You put a camera in my face against my will,you are causing a disturbance.”

Nothing you’ve quoted makes this falsehood true.

(And yelling on the internet doesn’t, either.)

But then, that’s what Internet Tough Guys do.
Michaelk42 recently posted..Unsurprisingly- Pogan gets no real punishment

Pingu, in that case, you could, theoreticly, be evicted for being disorderly, because a guard thought your hot dog smelled too much like onions and could make people sick.

That is, obviously, stupid.