Open email: Delaware State Police violating the 1st amendment
I find it personally outrageous and a major violation of our right to free speech for a government-run Instagram account to censor, delete comments, and block people for just asking a question or expressing their opinion. Scroll down for a template I made that you can copy and paste with a few edits and send it to the following relevant recipients (see below). Click here, https://www.instagram.com/dps_recruiting/ and if their page doesn’t pop up, you know you’re blocked.
Here was my actual email…
To whom it may concern,
After watching a video of a Delaware State officer pulling his gun and pointing it at a driver during a traffic stop. I had some questions (see video here https://www.instagram.com/p/BuIJ91yHnVF/). I went to Instagram, which is one of the ways I communicate, and found the account https://www.instagram.com/dsp_recruiting. which in profile name says, “Delaware State Police”. I noticed the last post (https://www.instagram.com/p/BuL85RVlmEj/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) at the time had more comments reported than were displayed. I did notice they had been publicly replying to questions in the comments. I decided to leave a comment myself that said “Is it in your training to pull a gun on someone for a traffic stop?
Moreover,
If not, the officer who pulled over Mack Buckley should be fired, no?” and within seconds. My comment was deleted, and I was blocked from viewing their Instagram profile. I was in disbelief and checked from another account. The comment was deleted, and I decided to leave a comment from a separate account. There to I was blocked for leaving the comment, “Are you going to fire that cop who pulled out a gun?”. I then shared my experience on my Instagram profile. The result is, I have dozens of citizens who have emailed me with screenshots of their initial comment on their page and then being blocked. Currently, I checked the page from another account that hadn’t been blocked. I own, and saw they had answered a question that asked “Says over 300 comments, but only a handful show.
Why are you censoring the public for asking a very real question?” Their response: “We are the Recruiting Unit. All inquiries regarding that recent video must be directed to our Public Information Office. All comments with foul language and hate speech will be deleted.” I decided to follow up with a question (on another account I have), “dozens of comments were deleted that did not have foul language or hate speech but simply asked a question. Can you respond to that?” and again that comment was deleted, and the account was blocked.
In conclusion,
That same post shows to have 390+ comments, but when you click to view more now, they are all deleted.
I ask for your reply regarding what I believe is a violation of our civil liberties. And the 1st amendment right of free speech on a government-run page. I can send screenshots and evidence as needed.
Awaiting your response.
Sincerely,
Sennett Devermont
You can copy and paste the email below, but please edit it as you wish or true for you. Feel free to edit and delete whatever is needed to make sure it’s true.
To:
Michael.Reader@delaware.gov,
John.Barnett@delaware.gov,
Robert.Colmery@delaware.gov,
Rickey.Hargis@delaware.gov,
Juanita.Huey-Smith@delaware.gov,
Heather.Pepper@delaware.gov,
info@joebiden.com,
rchristiansen@dover.de.us,
dsp.recruiting@delaware.gov,
legal@aclu-de.org,
Jeffrey.Horvath@cj.state.de.us,
mfeeley@delawareonline.com,
sennett@mrcheckpoint.com
Subject: Please look into if violation of our free speech.
To whom it may concern,
I believe I and many others are victim to a violation of our first amendment right. of After watching a video of Delaware State officer pulling his gun and pointing it at a driver during a traffic stop, I went to instagram which is one of the ways I communicate and found the account https://www.instagram.com/dsp_recruiting/ which in profile name says, “Delaware State Police”.
They ended up deleting my comments and blocked my page. I ask you to look into this matter and get appropriate info, proof, and screenshots from Sennett Devermont who can be reached at Sennett@mrcheckpoint.com regarding what I believe is a violation on our civil liberties and 1st amendment right of free speech on a government run page. He is expecting your response. He can send screenshots and evidence as needed.
Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME)
