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Resident alleges officer used force to block public filming of tow; council hears public comment
Summary
During public comment at the April 7 Clearlake council meeting, resident Tony Sarkis alleged Officer Diaz physically blocked and touched him while he filmed a tow on a public street and urged Chief White to train officers on public photography and First Amendment protections; the council heard the allegation but no departmental response was recorded during the meeting.
Clearlake — During the public-comment period of the April 7 Clearlake City Council meeting, resident Tony Sarkis described an interaction with police while he filmed a tow of an abandoned SUV and alleged an officer used physical force to prevent his movement.
"Public photography is a constitutionally protected activity," Sarkis told the council. He said he stood on a public road and was filming a flattened SUV being loaded onto a flatbed when the…
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