Carlos Miller writes in this article on his Photography Is Not A Crime web site that he has started a petition on the Whitehouse web site to request the Obama administration assist in getting the police to stop harassing people for photographing in public, particularly for photographing public servants (police) in the performance of their duties in public.
Think about the Rodney King case. Do we want police to EVER think they can get away with flagrant violence against unresisting citizens? The ONLY reason anybody ever heard of this case is because some bystander shot a video of it and brought the whole affair to the public's attention.
Also, that's Mexico city. There's a massive difference.
The subheadline reads Veracruz which (w/o being able to read the article that's what they're reporting on). The Mexico City line (at the very beginning) is traditionally where the reporter in question is reporting from.
Another example of this would be why so many news stories about Afghanistan events are listed as being in Karachi, Pakistan or its capital Islamabad.
That map doesn't prove any point and the action that occurred in Oregon was just an account of the officer being a jerk. Charges were dropped because the photographer IN FACT was NOT doing anything wrong.
Isaiah Brink
Posts: 1,786
Salisbury, North Carolina, US
I'm not saying what you should do, but do you really think that after all President Obama has done to remove rights from both the state and the individual, do you really think he'll listen to this? Either way, I'll be reading it and most likely signing it.
I looked through a police car window recently, as it was parked entirely on a pavement, it was unusual. I was looking at the dashboard and gps system and message board they use. A cop then approached me and took exception to having his car inspected by the public. I asked why and was told that I could be a terrorist.
The guy was half my age and clearly a few weeks only out of training college and I was astounded. I felt like being sarcastic, but thought I would rise above it.
There are videos on Youtube of UK officers misquoting the law and challenging people in public places like shopping centres. There's one of a PCSO chewing gum and basically arguing with a vulnerable female and eventually arresting her. Her crime? she was a tourist and had no idea the building she was photographing was a bank.
It seems to be part of their training now, not just in the states, but to consider the fact that anyone photographing public buildings COULD be a terrorist.
I am fairly sure, you will see a U-turn by police in the States, not yet, but soon, they simply can not afford to alienate people that could at times be highly useful to them.
Chris Macan
Posts: 12,738
HAVERTOWN, Pennsylvania, US
David Kilper wrote:
That map doesn't prove any point and the action that occurred in Oregon was just an account of the officer being a jerk. Charges were dropped because the photographer IN FACT was NOT doing anything wrong.
Most cases of cop on photographer are in fact cases of somebody being a jerk. And the charges are almost always dropped... and in many cases the taxpayers even reimburse the photographer for the "inconvenience".
All of which does not change the fact that "paper policies allowing photography" don't mean anything if the police on the ground disregard them without consequence.
Chris Macan
Posts: 12,738
HAVERTOWN, Pennsylvania, US
Rollo David Snook wrote: It seems to be part of their training now, not just in the states, but to consider the fact that anyone photographing public buildings COULD be a terrorist.
I am fairly sure, you will see a U-turn by police in the States, not yet, but soon, they simply can not afford to alienate people that could at times be highly useful to them.
It seems that many in the policing business have adopted an "us" vs. "Them" approach.
(them being all of us "civilians")
Is it any wonder "them" feel targeted, alienated and and generally distrustful of the police?
When the only interaction most people have with the police is to be questioned, ticked, detained and or arrested.....
is it really any wonder that people learn to distrust?.
Rollo David Snook wrote: I looked through a police car window recently, as it was parked entirely on a pavement, it was unusual. I was looking at the dashboard and gps system and message board they use. A cop then approached me and took exception to having his car inspected by the public. I asked why and was told that I could be a terrorist.
The guy was half my age and clearly a few weeks only out of training college and I was astounded. I felt like being sarcastic, but thought I would rise above it.
There are videos on Youtube of UK officers misquoting the law and challenging people in public places like shopping centres. There's one of a PCSO chewing gum and basically arguing with a vulnerable female and eventually arresting her. Her crime? she was a tourist and had no idea the building she was photographing was a bank.
It seems to be part of their training now, not just in the states, but to consider the fact that anyone photographing public buildings COULD be a terrorist.
I am fairly sure, you will see a U-turn by police in the States, not yet, but soon, they simply can not afford to alienate people that could at times be highly useful to them.
This is proof that the terrorists have already won. They have changed our way of life and made us much less free. "Anybody" can be a terrorist.
Isaiah Brink wrote: I'm not saying what you should do, but do you really think that after all President Obama has done to remove rights from both the state and the individual, do you really think he'll listen to this? Either way, I'll be reading it and most likely signing it.
Daniel Ecoff
Posts: 400
SHERMAN OAKS, California, US
David Kilper wrote:
Signed.
Also, that's Veracruz. There's a massive difference. #484
Does it matter WHERE in the world Photographers are being killed ? I understand that the petition here is for here. I was making another point, which apparently reached some deaf ears.
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