Officer Launches $1.2M Defamation Suit Against YouTube

54 Comments

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TORONTO — A Toronto police officer nicknamed “Officer Bubbles” on YouTube over an incident during the G20 summit has launched a $1.2-million defamation suit against the website.

Const. Adam Josephs received the nickname after an online video surfaced of him telling a protester she would be arrested if any of her bubbles touched police officers.

Josephs is not suing over the video. The Globe and Mail reports he is suing over cartoons posted later that he alleges depict a police officer resembling the constable abusing police power.

In some cartoons, the character arrests Santa Claus and U.S. President Barack Obama and punches a news photographer.

Josephs alleges in a statement of claim the cartoons have subjected him to ridicule, and have resulted in threats against himself and his family.

“The reason we brought the lawsuit is that people have the right to protect themselves against this kind of harassment,” his lawyer James Zibarras told the Globe and Mail in a story published on its website.

The statement of claim says Josephs wants YouTube to reveal the identity of the person behind the account “ThePMOCanada” where the cartoons were originally posted.

His lawyer said the lawsuit was in its preliminary stages and he was still in discussions with YouTube to resolve it.

The allegations have not been proven in court and it’s not believed a statement of defence has been filed.

As of Friday evening, the account that posted the cartoons had been shut down and most of the videos vanished from the site.

The officer became a symbol for protesters at later demonstrations — in one case, demonstrators blew bubbles in front of Queen’s Park to protest the mass arrests at the G20.

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Ahi

over 2 years ago

1990 Comments

wow, what a pain, I hope the officer wins!
DALLASCRANE

over 2 years ago

19386 Comments

Not Good: Officer Adam Josephs, __ Pape Ave Toronto, ON M4M 2V5. His name and address are being posted with his phone number on the internet. Officer Adam Joseph was correct in the matter of the substance in the bubbles was unknown. It could be an irritant. Urine mixed with glycerin and soap will make bubbles. The entire contents of the bottle could be thrown in the officer's face like the "gassing" (Feces Fiesta) the guards from prison cells.
DarkBlue

over 2 years ago

4880 Comments

Can you say .........EDITED ? theREALnews.com......... R U Kidding. LOL.
I love these left wing liberal cry babys who know nothing about life , never had a real job, smoke pot for recreation, and think they can change the world with the mindless behaviour. Wait........... she could be President.
royrob210

over 2 years ago

14 Comments

Simple solution; when you are told that your actions will result in consequences, don't cry when you suffer those consequences. Also if you annoy the bull for long enough, you will get the horns.

She pesters an officer that HAS to be there. I'm sure there were 100's of things he would have rather been doing than baby sitting protesters and yes they are childish enough that the duty is in fact baby sitting. Then looks hurt and indignant when he expresses that she has succeeded in her attempt to get on his nerves.

Here is an idea; Get a job
volldog

over 2 years ago

6 Comments

As always, the video is cut to only show the author's point of view. That is to be expected, but understand that generally, many of the facts conveniently are left out. Also, the officer was right to tell the woman not to blow bubbles at him or other officers. First of all, there is no way to know if there was any type of irritant or chemical added to the liquid. Second of all, blowing bubbles at an officer would normally be treated the same as touching them. Clearly, this woman and the people who were taping her were deliberately trying to create conflict. Great. Just don't bitch when you get conflict. And one fact that almost no one seems to get. This was in a foreign country! Our rules don't apply! Other countries don't give a damn what you think you have the right to do.
jeady

over 2 years ago

150 Comments

This is just another case of how even when you move to another country you just cant take that asshole attitude out of some people. This skinhead needs anger managment big time.
Tipical YOU CAN'T MESS WITH ME CAUSE I'M BAD. He needs to be transfered to the dog pound.
Silent_Observer

over 2 years ago

446 Comments

I'm not familiar with Canadian law, but I doubt the officer would have a case in the US. Unless the videos go so far as to claim the officer actually did the rather obscure things depicted, it isn't defamation no matter how poor of taste it is. But hey, as long as vindictive litigating is being used against these bone heads instead of by them, I won't complain too loudly.
PETE114

over 2 years ago

1396 Comments

Good for the Officer in filing a lawsuit. Many times when an Officer is found innocent of alledged wrongful charges, they just let it go. The Officer does not want to stoop to the A-hole's level. Sorry to the folks out there that don't understand what unwanted contact is. These people (the protesters) are professional troublemakers. They practice and encourage people in the crowd to irritate the Police or any other person they are protesting. Did you not notice all the cameras out there??? and what looks like the group's lawyer??? They are Anarchists and know what they are doing.
Ten8

over 2 years ago

62 Comments

UMMMMMMM..........................UHHHHHHHHH..................................I GOT NOTHING
rarebit

over 2 years ago

98 Comments

The old blowing bubbles on a cop stunt.
redskyn23

over 2 years ago

176 Comments

Looks like harrassment of LEO in the performance of his duties at the very least to me. Actually he would be remiss had he not taken action. Bubbles can escalate into something bigger, besides who knows what was in that bottle any way. The bottom line is don't mess with the police and follow our directives.
SgtCop

over 2 years ago

44 Comments

It could be seen as an officer safety issue, I've seen bubble soap thrown at offices faces at a local college protest. They all began blowing bubbles and as soon as things got tense they began throwing it, that stuff stings. You can't blame the general public for being outraged by this video, however just like the Rodney King incident, if you don't see the whole unedited video, then don't form an opinion until you do.
Drummadude

over 2 years ago

204 Comments

Just a question: On what grounds could he arrest her for? What charge?

I watched a couple of the cartoons and they are pretty silly. However, one video introduces him by name "A. Josephs is . . . " That's not cool.
comasterchief

over 2 years ago

522 Comments

Wow is right
HapkidoKa

over 2 years ago

1098 Comments

Very creative editing. They skipped what happened during the "moments later" clip. This video just as her bubble blowing was an act to rouse up the tree huggers and make LE look bad.