(ReliableNews.org) – Judicial Watch has been investigating the events of January 6, 2021, for years. The conservative watchdog is trying to obtain body camera footage from law enforcement in the nation’s capital but was denied access. Now, they are suing.
On June 8, Judicial Watch announced it filed a lawsuit against the District of Columbia to obtain all of the body camera footage taken by former Metropolitan Police Department Officer Michael Fanone on the day of the riot. They also want footage from all other officers who responded to the scene that day.
Fanone is one of the officers who was injured by the mob at the Capitol Building. He was dragged down the steps of the building, stunned by a Taser, threatened with his own gun, and sprayed with chemicals. He has testified that he screamed at his attackers and told them he had kids.
The officer was released but suffered a heart attack, traumatic brain injury, a concussion, burns, and suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome. He left the police department and is a contributor on CNN. He has also written a book about what happened.
The DC Metro Police rejected the Judicial Watch’s attempt to obtain the videos. The police said the videos were “part of an ongoing investigation and criminal proceeding” and argued that allowing the watchdog to have them would be an “invasion of privacy.”
Judicial Watch filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit to get the footage. They argue it’s “of great public interest” which would outweigh privacy concerns. Additionally, the organization pointed out that an investigation shouldn’t preclude the police department from releasing the footage.
Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, said the American people should have a “full picture” of the events on January 6. He demanded to know what the DC Metro Police are “hiding” and said the department should “release [the] secret January 6 videos.”
Copyright 2024, ReliableNews.org
