Washblog

At the demonstration, several protesters, including former Democratic Congressional candidate and area attorney Paul Richmond observed at least one uniformed Border Patrol employee videotaping the event. This videotaping was done not only while the rally was near federal buildings, but throughout the time the demonstrators marched through public streets.

The videotaping was confirmed by a Border Patrol Agent of the last name Dyer at a meeting of the Port Angeles Business Association on October 7. On October 9, Richmond filed a Freedom of Information Act request, asking for copies of the video and purposes for which it was being used.

Richmond has thus far received no response. However, today a participant in the protest discovered the following video on YouTube. Participants in the march confirm that some of the clips in the video appear to be from the footage taken by the uniformed Border Patrol agent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx_w_M0Bh1A

I mean really, WTF?  It's hard to say which is more disturbing... the edited in homophobia or the creepiness of official government surveillance finding its way onto YouTube.  

Also note:  not all the footage is from the September 20 protest.  The maker of the video seems to have edited in some other strange footage from various other protests.

I'm wondering if local media would have any interest in this.  I assume, at the very least, it violates Border Patrol employee regulations.