Know Your Rights: A Simple Guide for When People Film You or Offer You Dangerous Items

Know your rights. In most places, people can record in public, but they cannot force you to participate or pressure you into being part of their content.

1. You Do NOT Have to Be Filmed

No matter who the person is:

✔ You can say “No, do NOT film me.”

✔ You can ask them to stop recording.

✔ You can walk away at any time.

✔ If they refuse and keep filming close-up, it may qualify as harassment.

2. You Do NOT Have to Take Anything They Offer You

If someone tries to give you:

• A weapon (machete, knife, etc.)

• Alcohol or drugs

• Cigarettes or vaping products

• Anything that puts you at risk

You can simply say:

“No thanks, I don’t want that.”

Accepting dangerous items may attract police attention, create safety risks, or put you in legal jeopardy if local laws restrict possession.

3. You Can Tell Them to Leave You Alone

If someone is being pushy, filming you, or trying to get a reaction for their video:

Say:

“Please leave me alone.”“I’m not interested.”“Stop recording me.”

If they continue, it may count as harassment or coercion.

4. You Have the Right to Call for Help or Ask Someone Else To

If you feel unsafe, you can:

✔ Ask a passerby for help

✔ Call 911

✔ Ask nearby shelter staff or outreach workers

✔ Approach a security guard or store employee

Let them know:

“Someone is filming me and making me uncomfortable.”

5. If Someone Gives You a Weapon or Alcohol, YOU Are Not Automatically in Trouble

You are not responsible for someone else’s bad decisions.

However:

• Keeping a weapon could cause police to target you

• Taking alcohol could put you in danger or violate local open-container rules

• You can decline the items or set them down immediately

  
  

If police show up, calmly explain:

“I didn’t ask for this. They gave it to me for filming.”

6. You Can Report Exploitative Influencers

You can tell someone you trust to report the video or influencer to:

• TikTok

• Instagram

• YouTube

• Local outreach groups

• Local news reporters

• Civil-rights organizations

• Homeless advocacy groups

Most platforms ban content that exploits unhoused individuals.

7. No One Can Pay You or Bribe You to Do Something Dangerous

Even if they offer you:

• Cash

• Food

• Drinks

• Cigarettes

• Gifts

• A place to stay

You still have the right to say NO.

If they are pressuring you or trying to provoke drama:

“I’m not doing that. Leave me alone.”

8. You Can Ask Outreach Workers for Support

If you feel you’ve been used, filmed, or placed in danger, tell:

✔ A local shelter

✔ Street outreach teams

✔ Homeless advocates

✔ Legal-aid groups

Many cities have free legal services to protect your rights and help remove harmful content.

If You Feel Exploited or Unsafe — You Are Not Alone

What happened to you is not your fault. No one has the right to exploit you, film you without consent, or hand you weapons or alcohol to create content. There are people and organizations who can help you stay safe, get support, and protect your rights.

Check out the Justice Watchdog story about the social media influencer who is giving out free weapons and alcohol to homless people across the nation.