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Who is next? You or I for taking pictures of protest signs? This is a very slippery slope to #Fascism!

#NYC #journalist who documented #ProPalestinian vandalism arrested on felony #HateCrime charges

“This is an extremely serious charge against a #journalist. If he did not a participant in these events, this could be a brazen violation of the right of the press to gather news.” -- attorney Robert Balin

By JAKE OFFENHARTZ
Updated 3:46 PM EDT, August 6, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — "A New York City journalist was arrested on felony hate crime charges Tuesday after filming a pro-#Palestinian protest earlier this summer in which activists hurled red paint at the homes of top leaders at the #BrooklynMuseum.

"#SamuelSeligson, an independent videographer, was not involved in the #vandalism, but is accused of traveling in a car with the #activists and entering private property with them, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the case.

"The official spoke with The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.

"Leena Widdi, an attorney for Seligson, said New York Police Department officers twice raided Seligson’s Brooklyn apartment in the past week before he turned himself in early Tuesday.

"She described the arrest and use of a hate crime statute as an 'appalling' overreach by police against a journalist with a city-issued press credential. Seligson, who is Jewish, is a fixture at New York City protests who has licensed and sold footage to mainstream outlets, including Reuters and ABC News.

"'Samuel is being charged for alleged behavior that is protected by the First amendment and consistent with his job as a credentialed member of the press,' Widdi said in an email. 'What is even more concerning, however, is that this member of the press is being charged with a hate crime.'"

https://apnews.com/article/gaza-nypd-sam-seligson-brooklyn-museum-eea8ee12248d38d856fe5cabcac7a0d1