The awful TRUTH about “No Trespassing” laws

In this Emmy Award-winning short documentary, expert forager Alexis Nikole Nelson (aka The Black Forager) joins AJ+ host Yara Elmjouie to uncover the dark, complicated past of “No Trespassing” signs in the U.S. and how it all relates to the world of wild foods.
Chapter Breakdown:
0:00 - Who is The Black Forager, aka Alexis Nikole Nelson?
1:35 - The Art of Foraging
7:30 - The History of No Trespassing Laws
13:21 - Cooking with Wild Foods
18:54 - Alexis's Message
HOST/SENIOR PRODUCER: Yara Elmjouie
PRODUCERS: Rich Cooper, Adrienne Blaine
EDITORS: Yara Elmjouie, Rich Cooper
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Shadi Rahimi
ANIMATOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Mat Sesti
SENIOR MOTION GRAPHICS DESIGNER: Walid Haddad
CINEMATOGRAPHY: David Dougherty, Enrique Huaiquil
HEAD OF PRODUCTION: Nanako Pierce
ADDITIONAL CAMERA: Yara Elmjouie
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Jesse Fernandez
PUBLISHING: Rekha Shanmugam
FACT-CHECKER: Ramón Rodriguez
COPY EDITOR: Ramón Rodriguez
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT: Fatema Nakhuda, Hany Ramsay
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[@YaraElmjouie]

Hi all! Thanks for watching! Have you gone foraging in your own neighborhoods? Would love to hear about the stuff you've found (and whether, like me, you'll never look at a No Trespassing sign the same way again).

[@NessieSaurus]

There used to be a website here in San Diego with a list of all the trees, bushes, plants, & vines, with edible fruits, nuts, veggies, etc. that were available for free. Either because they were on public property or hanging over into sidewalk or because the people that owned them were ok with it. For the life of me I cannot find it any more!!! 😩😫 but yes we take our kids to balboa park to pick kumquats and we got ogled by people 😬 we had to explain to them what we were eating 😊

[@loquat44-40]

I have have such signs up on my small estate of 8 acres, but my signs apply to everyone and my dogs are not racist and are equal opportunity when it comes to biting intruders.

[@lastnamefirstname2390]

Wow. This was very educational and entertaining. Thank you for this.

[@kittenritty7959]

Off topic but can we just appreciate how attractive you are 😭

[@jzk2020]

I believed they pass all sorts of laws just to funnel *BLACK PEOPLE* into prisons, not poor people, not LGBT, not minorities, not natives etc. The more black people there are in an area, the more laws there are, the fewer black people there are in an area, the fewer laws there are - til this day. You can drive super-fast without needing to worry about speed-limits in certain parts of the country - not so much in other states. Me wonders why.

[@irayz2677]

We had KAPU. No trespassing signs. On federal lands. AKA Hawaiian lands. Illegal signs. Meant to kick out natives

[@KL-zt6jx]

How crazy is it to say as a student, that you're so broke that you need(, not because of want) to forage. She's awesome!

[@wendyhernandez-gq7ok]

for the people in the comments saying it's not safe to forage from urban cities, do yall forget that our fruits and vegetables that we buy at the supermarket are sprayed with pesticides?!! like??!! anyways i love her and im so happy yall shared this very informative video! shes inspired me to go out and forage as well! food should not be a commodity, it should be accessible.

[@siggietyrone3965]

The pesticides that are used for our food are usually FDA approved unless you get them elsewhere. So its much safer to get it at a grocery store. That doesn't even take into account the potential danger you might encounter trying to forage the food.

[@MssEllefry]

Sure pesticides are not all great. But Smog, runoff, dog piss, and heroin is a whole new ball game. Plants are like sponges. It’s like playing Russian roulette. Industrial food has problems but eating from the side walk reminds me of that guy who fishes in the LA river🙅‍♀️ the privilege conversion she is starting is invaluable though. I had no idea.

[@iamdee2615]

@@siggietyrone3965 that’s all you think,once it’s harvested why you think it last for days since it got harvested until it gets to your grocery store. Yeah, perhaps if you know the truth you might say you better grow your own food.

[@jokerfacebitch]

I'm a people in the comments!!!

[@QBRikan77]

What if a dog peed on it

[@sadie5872]

i absolutely adore her and her seemingly endless wealth of knowledge. i'm so happy that one day i had downloaded tiktok and saw her content because ALL of it is worth the watch. (and selfishly, i would love to be friends with her)

[@kingjudah27]

Congratulations on your Emmy win!!! Well deserved! 🎯✨🎉

[@cody8ccramer]

Alexis is one of the most genuine and amazing humans to ever grace the rest of us. An absolute treasure and someone we should all raise up! ❤️

[@TheDVM]

Thank you, Yara, for bringing light to more of my African American history and ancestors struggles which I hadn't previously known before. And thank you for featuring one of my Sisters in your video and allowing her to bring attention to her foraging hobby and the systemic racial issues against Black people that are rooted in it. I really enjoyed learning about this.

[@MaryJane80]

I love her!!! She’s informative and her excitements and the way she presents her information in her videos makes these info interesting to learn.

[@guapodesperado2822]

Wow, I totally want her in my apocalyptic survival group.

[@toniasilvas5422]

I’m amazed at this history. I started foraging because of you. Thank you.

[@bunnycat4153]

Thank you so much for sharing your platform to tell her story! I was lucky enough to be one of her followers early on and it has been an actual honor for me to watch her continued growth & abundance of success! She is one of the classiest & most gracious human beings I’ve ever come across in my life! I genuinely feel like I’m a better person because of just how much she’s educated me at this point! Bless the black forager infinitely! ❤️

[@mjai1120]

This segment was so beautiful! Alexis is awesome! Black people in this country have always been self sufficient historically because we’re utterly resilient due to lack of resources in slavery - unfortunately, racist laws have changed that narrative to force many to be reliant on white institutions to keep us confined in both freedom and economic success (shameful!). But thanks so much for enlightening folks on our country’s history! It’s needed.

[@ladybug3380]

What are your men doing to combat this oppression?

[@babsjob8729]

Here we go againg with the whataboutism. If you didn't get anything constructive about this video just move on.

[@shontelhorneonline]

Came to watch after the Emmy win! Phenomenal work.

[@nyieshahopkins6700]

AMAZING. this video was so enlightening. Love her and the history included. Wow I just never knew. I can remember my great grandmother from Mississippi telling me how they never felt the effects of the Great Depression because they grew there own food and we’re already leaving bing in less pretty much. The food that my great grandmother cooked was so fresh and so yummy. I take inspiration from this young lady and know that she is a shinning light in the world. Keep up the good work sista.

[@suburbansoulhomestead]

In addition to being ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT, I appreciate how Alexis got me and my 11-year-old daughter into foraging. She’s such a gift!

[@TheDVM]

That's beautiful ❤

[@mukkaar]

It's pretty interesting, in Europe we currently have generally really loose land laws when it comes to walking trough private property or foraging. And we started out with quite harsh laws due to peasantry and nobility stuff. US kinda did reverse.

[@ozomatli77]

Great video to highlight foraging and make it more accessible to POC! Also glad more people are learning about her informative work that I enjoyed since last year

[@TheBarryedAlive]

Alexis is such a gem

[@charonsiouxsie949]

The title undermines the hero. Black Forager is the story, with a great b-story. Praise to Black Forager

[@birdybea2208]

Congrats on the Emmy folks informative, and bursting with light. I would love more content from you both ❤

[@anna7473]

Teaching child from a very young age common foraged foods starting with wild blackberries & crab apples to dandelions f(lowers & leaves especially) and this video is a "MUST WATCH" for so many fun & educational reasons. THANK YOU!!!!!

[@teoengchin]

Chinese cooking uses a mushroom called Wood Ear as well though I'm not sure if its the same species or something closely related

[@BlackForager]

It’s the same species!! 💜

[@Ric419]

LOVE HER!!!!!

[@BlackForager]

Awwww shucks!! Thank you! 💕💕

[@dave_riots]

@@BlackForager You've earned yourself a sub!

[@db.digital]

Love this so much! Alexis is such an inspiration! 💜 Thank you for this video.

[@Raja-bz4yw]

Also people with disabilities would not be able to forage. As someone like myself who is blind, I wouldn't have the necessary vision to spit out which plants I could find to make a decent meal with in the wild. For me and other people who disabilities shopping at a store is more convenient and safer. But I would love to learn how to garden to at least one day grow n produce my own veggies, herbs, and some fruit. I'm already currently in the process of trying to buy stuff from a butcher or farm if I can get a ride there.

[@leftofleftdebi8123]

I love foraging. I had no idea about the trespassing signs. Thank you for sharing.🥰

[@jillianrubel8219]

Alexis you are simply fabulous!! Love every single one of your videos so much 🙌🏻🤩 this was so informative

[@Moscato_Moscato]

I think I’ve seen the Black Forager’s tiktok once once on Twitter but I’m so glad y’all introduced me to her stuff! I think she’s really awesome and smart!

[@loquat44-40]

The soils in urban areas are often contaminated with heavy metals like lead. Some plants will actively accumulate metals and so it may not be a good idea to forage and eat such plants.

[@averychilco]

Awesome show!! I'm a fan now and definitely subscribed.

[@tee_savy100]

We need more videos with Yara and Alexis!😄

[@lorithomasscott349]

Been waiting for this video to be released since Yara teased it on social media! Thank you both for educating us.

[@thescarecrow.8581]

I really enjoy these KZbin videos. Yara is amazing at doing interviews.

[@YaraElmjouie]

You're too kind! Thanks William!

[@duquesealand3240]

Alexis is the best!!!!!!

[@rocaelwelch7453]

I love this video The editing is sooo good

[@Allinmyworld]

Wow, I really enjoyed the content in this video. Such insightful, informative, thought provoking knowledge packed into this one video. What a great job.

[@chesthoIe]

2:59 Those look like what my family likes to call, "bullsh&% strawberries." They grow in Pennsylvania, taste like nothing covered in pebbles, and like to grow near my real strawberries so that I can't tell them apart.

[@Lranee]

Alexis is a beautiful soul, I came here from Twitter Congratulations on the emmy

[@argha59]

Such an amazing story! Also, the work of foraging and cooking can be very healing for many.

[@mayhem8324]

Thank you both for this wholesome, important work. It really brightened my day to watch this and learn so much. Good luck with the Webby's! You deserve it!

[@Josh_the_Grey]

Fascinating!

[@iLoveBeaches]

So glad I stumbled across this video!

[@soliloquylove2115]

Thank you for this video!!!

[@nicolelopez4133]

OMG LOVE HER 🎉✨✨🥰

[@emzealous]

This is excellent!!! Love Alexis!

[@grmpEqweer]

Wow. This is wild. Edit: I already forage a little. I've added Alexis so I can find more stuff to eat. 👍

[@KL-zt6jx]

I love that they showed us this recipes. I feel inspired.

[@ericmumper6821]

I love this video so much!

[@Dessercat]

What an amazing video. I adore Alexis. 💚💚💚

[@solveigst-juste6276]

Finally seeing a black woman forage was so cathartic for me. I always felt out of place in the ecology world. Not anymore

[@heather2185]

Purslane (semizotu in Turkish - where I learned this and foraged it) is really good in yogurt with garlic, salt and olive oil. Not vegan but delicious

[@pieterwolt1245]

great video and marvelous topic

[@SolinoOruki]

Yara's videos are always awesome, and this one is one of his best

[@YaraElmjouie]

Thank you, Solino! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@lillieholmes4521]

Very interesting and informative, Thanks for sharing

[@Koshy210]

A good exposé

[@terrygrant9140]

I call BS The writ of trespass was developed before 1250 as a sort of civil version of a felony. What the writs of trespass had in common was that they involved forcible, or at least intentional, action that directly resulted in injury. Lawyers tried to fit their cases into one of these writs since, if they could not, they had no case. While courts allowed some flexibility in their use, the basics had always to apply: direct harm forcibly caused. So, when a landholder chopped down a tree and it landed on his neighbor, that could be squeezed into a trespass writ; but where the tree landed on the road and a passerby stumbled over it after dark, there was no direct injury and therefore no trespass. To correct this problem a statute of 1285 allowed writs of trespass to be issued in consimili casu, "in similar cases." Non-specific writs of trespass could now be obtained if the fact situation were similar to those covered by traditional writs (as those had come to be interpreted by the courts) even if the injuries were not direct. A trespass in consimili casu was referred to as “trespass on the case” or simply “case.” The freedom of action allowed by actions on the case was not quickly taken advantage of and it is not until Edward III’s reign (1327-1377) that we begin to see significant numbers of writs called “trespass” that cannot fit the traditional definitions.

[@genjimasamune4297]

Oh yes! It's very silly mental gymnastics, but woke people love this stuff. They'll take any topic and associate it to racism. The logic used in this video is precisely the logic of "Hitler drank water and liked dogs, therefore if you drink water and like dogs, you are pro holocaust". It's the precise logic.

[@my-2-centstoday]

Wow, that was great!

[@YaraElmjouie]

Thanks for watching!

[@bookstore101]

Great video.

[@diphyllum8180]

How concerned are you about pollution in roadside foraging? Obviously this is inherently great, but when I do it myself sometimes I wonder to what extent car culture makes it dangerous or adds undesired health effects. I've heard people suggest rules that you don't gather within a certain distance of the road so there isn't exhaust on everything, and that those close to the roads have high levels of heavy metals. I'd be interested to see an investigation of that question from someone like you who supports the hobby in general -- is it a valid cause of concern? Which sidewalk plants are more or less dangerous? Like with that purslane salad, I have to wonder how much roadside heavy metals are being taken up into the plant.

[@livingvicariously5108]

I was wondering the same. How bad is pollution from cars onto plants?

[@Willchannel90]

The community professionals may take notes for this.

[@chantillylace1369]

Amazing guest 💕💕💕

[@nadiaalisha4847]

We love you girl. I didn't know she was in Columbus💝💖💖

[@GVvoltaire]

Super interesting!!

[@YaraElmjouie]

🤗

[@rareblues78daddy]

This is great!

[@Endmass]

"As I went walking I saw a sign there, And on the sign it said "No Trespassing." But on the other side it didn't say nothing. That side was made for you and me."

[@blueberryhill6948]

Alexis is a superhero 🙏🏽❤️

[@hallotschuss4177]

Great video 👍

[@worldtravel101]

She's awesome

[@storyspice974]

The more I learn, Thank you

[@spindlecitysister]

I knew it! That it had a connection to the enclosure of the commons in England.

[@danielsykes7558]

Why is Al Jazeera perfect? 🥰

[@samuel.t.basilio]

Love her 💝

[@scarletletter4900]

I'm sharing this.

[@Moyo1909]

Thank you

[@FitzroySymisterArt]

Great vibes. Real way of life. Back to life baby

[@ummeiguess]

wondering if Alexis got to meet and talk with the professor she quoted if not, why?

[@shastabare6026]

Yaaaaaaaaaaay. Legendary cross over episode

[@paull2166]

They're super cute! Interesting video. She really is smart!

[@jujutrini8412]

I can’t get my mind past the fact that a dog probably pissed on anything near the sidewalk. I know you can wash it. My brain will not allow me to get past it.😢

[@lizbethartemis4886]

Very educational. Now, I understand much better the topic of private property🤓

[@ckckck1]

Love her!

[@ebryant6280]

Yara your videos are getting more entertaining. Keep up the 'god' work

[@mmps18]

Alexis is such a gem!!!

[@SumbalNaseemullahSabah]

I love you Black Forager!

[@zoraneale8903]

She is such a beautiful person in and out!

[@nioxa5421]

So many laws created to hold people back. It’s like playing Monopoly but certain people get to pass Go x3 before the game even starts

[@genjimasamune4297]

I'd love to come forage some items from your home! Just to clarify, you don't believe in trespassing? I might come stay a week or so. Thanks man! See you soon! I do walk in the nude and will be inviting some people that are struggling with drug addiction, as they need a place to stay. Thanks!!

[@nioxa5421]

@@genjimasamune4297 Tampa, Fl. In the hood You’ll fit right in!

[@genjimasamune4297]

@@nioxa5421 Oh yeah! I was there literally in December! That's awesome. Oh! So you're saying I wouldn't fit in there? I wouldn't be welcome there? Huh. Seems like that's the exact thing you racebaiters are arguing against right now, but you lord it over others as a badge of pride. The hypocrisy is AMAZING.

[@Yor_gamma_ix_bae]

Is this buzzfeed

[@misterkiller89]

Alexis, the Black Forager, is changing the world...one weed at a time

[@mistyroller3470]

Omg. I need a back basket like black forager's!

[@lewaspaige8226]

Love her

[@stephendaley266]

Historical note: It's important to remember that "no trespassing" is also part of the Historical enclosure of the commons. The nobility of Europe turned common lands where peasants could freely hunt, fish, forage, and collect firewood into private property for the express purpose of forcing peasants to work for the landowners in order to survive. This is not just a problem of racist white people in the South, it's the foundation of modern Capitalism. If people were able to survive on their own, they couldn't be forced to sell their labor.

[@genjimasamune4297]

Some of the silliest mental gymnastics I've seen, my friend! Gold medal for you and this video!

[@a-khanation5279]

Why on earth did you change the title for..

[@livingvicariously5108]

I need to find some Floridian foragers and learn how to do that here.

[@fredsmith2299]

Alexis, love your noodles ...

[@mariq9918]

Check

[@bpantoine]

I LUV HER

[@mariq9918]

Check out too...The Gleaners..

[@Gulfstreams]

🔥

[@karthikshetty2206]

She is Annapoorna God of serving food