WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- A private video secretly recorded at the U.S. Supreme Court, where cameras and electronic devices are banned, has been posted to YouTube.
The group 99Rise.org, which backs campaign finance reform, posted the video of a spectator interrupting argument Wednesday as part of a campaign finance protest, CNN reported.
"The court became aware today of the video posted on YouTube," court Public Information Officer Kathy Arberg said in a statement. "Court officials are in the process of reviewing the video and our courtroom screening procedures."
Visitors are screened when they enter the Supreme Court building and before they enter the courtroom.
During the argument in a patent case, the spectator stood up and stated, "Money is not speech," and "Overturn 'Citizens United!'" The 5-4 ruling in 2010's Citizens United vs. FEC allowed corporations and unions to spend money from their general funds for "independent electioneering," but not for direct contributions to a campaign.
Since then, corporations have poured hundreds of millions of dollars for "independent" expenditures in campaigns.
CNN reported Noah Newkirk of Los Angeles was only able say a few words before police escorted him from the courtroom. Though he did not resist arrest, Newkirk was charged with violating federal law that bans a "harangue" or speak "loud threatening or abusive language" in the Supreme Court building.
The broadcaster said the justices ignored the incident.
