First Amendment Auditors: Harassment of Public Employees Explained

Understanding First Amendment Auditors

• 💡 First Amendment Auditors are individuals who film public employees in public spaces, often provoking reactions to create content for YouTube and generate revenue.
• 🎯 Their primary goal is to elicit an angry or confused response from targets, which they then upload for views and engagement.
• 🔑 This movement has roots in the cop watching movement of the 1990s but has significantly grown with the advent of YouTube and social media.

The Librarian's Ordeal

• 📚 Betsy, a librarian, was badgered and filmed by an auditor demanding her name, salary, and employment details, which he later uploaded online.
• ⚠️ The auditor's video led to cyberbullying and calls for Betsy's dismissal and arrest from his followers, causing her significant emotional distress and fear.
• 🚨 Police intervention proved ineffective, as officers stated they could do nothing to stop the filming or harassment in a public space, providing