Controversial Tennessee bill could criminalize recording police officers within 25 feet

Memphis resident Charles Wilson expressed concern over the measure, especially when it comes to transparency.

“If the officer is doing something illegal, he should be filmed just throughout the process of the arrest he’s making so that person won’t be violated physically or mentally,” Wilson said.

Jayla Jackson, another Memphis local, said she believes this legislation will hold officers less accountable for their actions. However, she is not taking any chances of breaking the law.

“It’s not worth it at all. I feel like I would still try it, but still not worth it to go to jail for,” Jackson said.

State Representative Justin J. Pearson (D-Memphis), a vocal opponent of the bill, referenced the recording of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, a video that sparked global outrage and calls for reform.

“A young lady recorded his lynching, the world saw it and responded and reacted, and they don’t want for that to happen again,” Pearson said.

Pearson said the legislation infringes on constitutional rights and is likely to face legal challenges, and doesn’t believe the bill is solely focused on defending those who swore an oath to protect and serve.

“We’re not trying to stop people from doing their job, but everybody has to have accountability, especially people who we give the ability to kill any one of us at any moment and time,” he said.

In addition to the recording restrictions, Rep. Pearson said the bill includes a provision that makes it illegal to place protest banners on highways or overpasses without permission from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

“All these things that you might do and protest of what the government is doing, the government is saying, ‘Don’t ever do those things,'” Pearson said. “It is a scary move towards more anti-democratic, anti-constitutional actions to reduce people’s ability to protest.”