Open Carry Litter Clean Up & Friendly Gathering

[Kahr]

Know your audience my friend...

[Stradawhovious]

I intend to be video and audio recording most of the event.

For what purpose, and to what end?

I have to say, what started out sounding like a good idea is quickly sounding less and less appealing after all the pieces are falling into place.

Good luck with your event, I hope it goes very well and without incident.

[photogpat]

Know your audience my friend...

It could have been really great too...I have no desire to be associated on camera/video with a group that features "F*** the Police" prominently on its FB page.

Best of luck!

[bstrawse]

Exactly. I'm not interested in participating in an event that is going to post the photos/videos on "Cop Block" -- I also am not sure how you would handle an actual discussion with law enforcement, which is likely to happen given that this is Minneapolis.. I have a feeling - perhaps not so well.

b

[Squib Joe]

I am an admin of Minnesota Cop Block. This has no correlation to Cop Block

So do you mean the event has nothing to do with, er, blocking cops? Because you're inviting that group to attend.

I'm all for cleaning up a park and putting a friendly, helpful face to the carry community. Not so much interested in providing somebody "police confrontation" video for YouTube.

[photogpat]

Also - what's up with this: "All participants agree to be audio- and video-taped."?
b

I intend to be video and audio recording most of the event. I am just letting people know in advance that I will be doing so and that others are welcome to do so as well. Even though there is no public expectaion to privacy at the park, I still don't want to step on peoples toes.

Just an FYI, while you are free to photo/video anything you see in a public space where there is not a reasonable expectation of privacy for your own private use/artistic display, you are not legally allowed to use an image/video to imply anyone's endorsement of your activity/cause/product without some type of valuable consideration changing hands (money, contract, food, etc...). For example, if I happened to be open carrying in the park that day collecting litter and you took my picture/video and threw it up on your website implying that I was against the law enforcement community, without money or some signed form changing hands, I'd have a valid case for defamation/use of my likeness w/o permission and I'd hit you up with a takedown order to your ISP and/or Facebook.

IANAL, but simply telling people they "agree to be audio and video-taped" only works if you've given them something in exchange for that agreement. Concert venues and places like the State Fair get away with it since you buy an admission ticket, which has their terms and conditions on the back, thereby giving your explicit approval for the use of your likeness.

[GunGoogler]

I love the concept, but not the association. No thank you, but best of luck. Please remember that many may see you as representing all carry permit holders--right or wrong--so please represent us well, without unnecessary conflict, and don't condone any DBery.

[Audible Chocolate]

lol again this has nothing to do with cop block. I don't like police. I don't like what I have seen going on with police in the press. That is my business. I also happen to carry a firearm and I enjoy promoting those rights. This event has nothing to do with cop block. Shall I spell it out for you? I don't care who hosts the event. I want to go to a carry event so I made one. This isn't even lead by me per say. Its a group effort.

[Audible Chocolate]

Also - what's up with this: "All participants agree to be audio- and video-taped."?
b

I intend to be video and audio recording most of the event. I am just letting people know in advance that I will be doing so and that others are welcome to do so as well. Even though there is no public expectaion to privacy at the park, I still don't want to step on peoples toes.

Just an FYI, while you are free to photo/video anything you see in a public space where there is not a reasonable expectation of privacy for your own private use/artistic display, you are not legally allowed to use an image/video to imply anyone's endorsement of your activity/cause/product without some type of valuable consideration changing hands (money, contract, food, etc...). For example, if I happened to be open carrying in the park that day collecting litter and you took my picture/video and threw it up on your website implying that I was against the law enforcement community, without money or some signed form changing hands, I'd have a valid case for defamation/use of my likeness w/o permission and I'd hit you up with a takedown order to your ISP and/or Facebook.

IANAL, but simply telling people they "agree to be audio and video-taped" only works if you've given them something in exchange for that agreement. Concert venues and places like the State Fair get away with it since you buy an admission ticket, which has their terms and conditions on the back, thereby giving your explicit approval for the use of your likeness.

Good luck with this. Have you ever read a tabloid? I could post your photo and say you were bigfoot.

Listen, If you guys wanna jerk me around, go right ahead. All I wanted to do was get a group of people together and meet people from around the area. I do not resent police officers and have no plans to advertise this event as a "cop block" or "anti-LEO" event. It's an event.. for people.. with gun permits... to clean a park... and get to know one another. Calm down.

[Audible Chocolate]

I intend to be video and audio recording most of the event.

For what purpose, and to what end?

I have to say, what started out sounding like a good idea is quickly sounding less and less appealing after all the pieces are falling into place.

Good luck with your event, I hope it goes very well and without incident.

addressing your question. I plan on taking photos. I like taking photos. I guess I really don't need to video tape anything. Just more for my own personal use. I really wish you guys would chill out and just enjoy the fact that someone is organizing a carry event. Its free. You don't have to stay... I don't get what the big deal is lol. You don't have to claim affiliation with anyone. I just want to get to know people from around the area.

[bstrawse]

I don't get what the big deal is lol. You don't have to claim affiliation with anyone. I just want to get to know people from around the area.

As a permit holder in a fairly liberal state, your actions will be scrutinized and will reflect on *all* of us. That's what the big deal is.

We've gotten to where we are from a legal standpoint by carefully messaging things in this state for over a decade. There are many, such as the folks you saw mentioned in the recent Star Tribune article, and many others that have worked extensively to help get things to this point.

It would take one event like this, associated with "Minnesota Cop Block", whether directly or indirectly, to turn things in the other direction.

There are also a ton of folks here on this forum - and others that are instructors and activists - that are either current law enforcement (Paul, for example) or former law enforcement (Me, for example) that would *never* want to have our photos, audio, or video posted on a page labeled "Minnesota Cop Block". That's another part of what the big deal is.

There have been a number of previous open carry events in MInneapolis. They were carefully planned with well-thought-out messaging in advance - and they had designated spokespeople to deal with the press and/or law enforcement that inevitably would show up. Those events were highly successful.

The folks involved in such events aren't going to touch this one with a ten foot pole. That's another part of what the big deal is.

I applaud your efforts. But there are too many questions with this one for me.

If you're interested in getting to know folks, there are a number of regular lunches and breakfasts. There are range outings, shooting competitions, the steel shoots, public days at Oakdale (like this weekend - come by Saturday, I'm the lead range officer and would be happy to chat), and so on. Goto one of those.

I've been active on this forum since 2009 and with the local community since later that year -- I've met a ton of folks that are on this forum. I still don't feel like I'm ready to plan an event like this or be the focal point for activism the way that Andrew and others are...

That's what the big deal is.
Bryan

[Audible Chocolate]

Well have a good one then. Your advice does nothing for me. I could honesty care less if you showed up or not. It's up to you. I'll part ways.

[bstrawse]

Well have a good one then. Your advice does nothing for me.

Your choice. I tried to give you the best advice I could.

Thanks -
b

[RobD]

Well have a good one then. Your advice does nothing for me. I could honesty care less if you showed up or not. It's up to you. I'll part ways.

[ronin069]

Oh for F's sake...video and cameras?

After many years of lurking these two boards and dipping my toe into "movement" waters, the number one lesson I have learned is that stratigic patience has made this a pretty good state to carry a firearm in and tactical-like contingency plans for events like the one being discussed has always helped ensure success.

Coming off of the near-favorable Strib article this week, our Anti friends would give almost anything to knock us down a bit...this is a public forum; I know I would be watching the goings-ons if I were on their side.

What happened to low-key? I still remember back on Joel's board when there was an open-carry picnic...many photos were taken and then posted on the board.

For multiple reasons those photos were quickly scrubbed and moved to "Strategy". I remember thinking, now that is a classy move.

Many folks are not as open as others, both for personal and professional reasons...my boss for instance, is an avid-anti...would not be good if photos of me were taken off of one board and posted to another ...

I will let the "cop-block" crap stand on its own...someone here already said it...know your audience.