We are living in a strange and painful timeline. Every day when I open my phone I’m shown disturbing videos of state violence (including murders) and then my feed jumps to a job update, a product launch, a funny meme. Then back to murder again.
It may be common, but it is not normal or healthy.
And yet, the only reason many of us know what’s happening in places like Minneapolis, LA, Portland, Chicago and beyond is because people are using their phones to bear witness; showing us the reality that those in power are actively trying to deny, distort, and dismiss. The manipulation of images and the erosion of trust are not new tactics, but the speed, scale, and realism of this moment are.
Sam Gregory is an internationally recognized human rights advocate and the executive director of WITNESS, whose global mission is to harness the power of video to “fortify the truth.” Sam joined me this week to talk about how we can responsibly respond to what we’re seeing on our phones and, for those of us on the ground in ICE-occupied cities, record what we’re seeing safely and effectively.
Check out the whole conversation above and the practical bullet points below:
When you’re scrolling…
Pause before you engage.
There is no obligation to watch violence. You are not required to repeatedly expose yourself to traumatic imagery in order to be informed or morally engaged. Before watching or sharing, pause and ask whether you are ready to be in that space. Protecting your nervous system is not apathy. Vicarious trauma is real and choosing not to watch doesn’t mean you don’t care.
Don’t try to do this alone.
We are better witnesses in community. The most effective and safest frontline witnesses are embedded in community where people can assess risk, make decisions together, and support one another. The same applies online. Look to trusted communities and networks to help interpret what you’re seeing, rather than trying to verify everything alone.
Don’t take the rage bait.
A lot of what circulates now is designed to make us angry and impulsive. Techniques we were once told to use to spot fake content–pixel peeping, obvious glitches, six fingers–don’t reliably work anymore. And when we’re angry, we’re less discerning. Slow down. See whether credible sources and multiple perspectives corroborate what you’re seeing.
Context matters more than virality.
Ask basic questions: where did this come from? When was it recorded? Is it being re-circulated without context? Reposted footage–or “shallow fakes”–can mislead even when the original video was real.
You are allowed not to share.
This is not a spectator sport. Sharing content is not a requirement, and it’s not neutral. Consider whether amplifying something could put someone at risk or contribute to confusion rather than clarity.
If you’re filming on the ground…
Start with risk assessment.
Different people face different levels of danger based on how they’re perceived, their citizenship status, or their proximity to enforcement. In group situations, roles can be shared–some people closer, some farther away capturing wider context. Think about personal risk before pressing record.
Prepare your device.
Disable Face ID and fingerprint unlocking (both of which you can be forced to use). Memorize which number you’d call if something goes wrong. Make sure your content is backing up securely. All of these reduce the chance that footage can be seized, deleted, or used to harm someone.
Know your rights…and their limits.
In most of the U.S., you have a First Amendment right to film in public, but that doesn’t mean authorities will respect it. You don’t have the right to interfere, and you may be ordered to step back. Rules can differ near borders and ports of entry, so inform yourself.
Film with intention.
Be clear about what you’re trying to document. Capture context: where you are, when this is happening, who is recording. Wide shots, visible landmarks or signs, multiple angles–all of this helps establish what actually occurred and supports verification later.
Let the footage speak.
Limit commentary, especially up close. Anything said on camera can become admissible or expose people to risk. Avoid naming individuals or speculating about someone’s immigration status. Silence can be protective.
Think before you share.
Ask whether sharing immediately helps or harms. In many cases, holding footage back, even temporarily, can protect vulnerable people and preserve the integrity of the evidence, especially when official accounts are likely to be false.
Preserve the record.
Save the original file without altering it or changing the filename. Keep three copies, in two different places, with one shared with someone you trust (the 3-2-1 rule). This protects metadata and maintains a chain of custody. Careful archiving contributes to accountability over time, even if justice is delayed.
Here are a bunch of resources from Sam if you want to dig deeper:
Filming Immigration Enforcement in the U.S.
Tips for Documenting & Sharing Footage
How AI detection Tools Failed in 2025
When we lose trust in what we’re seeing, we disengage. And disengagement is a gift to those in power.
Witnessing, done carefully and collectively, is one of the ways we resist that erosion of reality. It may not deliver immediate justice, but it builds a record–both moral and literal–that the future depends on.
We are in this together. Tell us how you’re doing in the comments so we can support each other.
Sending love and strength to you and your community, wherever you are.
-Baratunde
Thanks to Associate Producer Layne Deyling Cherland for editorial and production support and to my executive assistant Mae Abellanosa.
