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Photographers’ Rights Rally Weekend 2009

Published June 3, 2009 Harassment , Photographers' Rights , Photojournalism , Police Harassment , Protests , Rally , Security Guard Harassment 7 Comments
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It’s been a year since we held our first National Photographers’ Rights Organization (NPRO) rally in Los Angeles, and a lot has happened since then. Over the past 12 months, hundreds of us have been harassed by security guards and law enforcement for practicing a perfectly legal activity while in public. Some of us have even witnessed or personally experienced an unlawful arrest by an out-of-control cop. But with the help of our cameras, the grassroots mobilization of the internet and our lobbying of companies and public officials, we have stood up to this abuse and forced change.

For instance, Amtrak finally released a policy on photography and the NYPD’s leaked policy document says to stop the harassment of photographers shooting in public. So in order to progress even further, promote even more awareness and stand up for our rights, NPRO is holding a Photographers’ Rights Rally Weekend this year that will kick off in the Los Angeles Harbor/Port of Long Beach on Saturday June 6th, and end on June 7th in Downtown Los Angeles.

Before attending this event, it is important that we all educate ourselves about the law and photography. To learn the essentials it’s best to start with Bert Krages’ ubiquitous “The Photographer’s Right.” Read it. Memorize it. Print it. The knowledge you obtain from this document will help protect yourself when confronted by law enforcement or security staff when taking pictures in public.

You can also check out the numerous links in section 9 of this blog’s sidebar, which provide you with even more information regarding the law and photography.

Most importantly though, no matter what we are told by law enforcement, California Wiretapping Law legally permits us to secretly record police, or anybody for that matter, when they are in public and there is no expectation of privacy. We do not need a cop’s acknowledgment or permission to record their threats.

It’s extremely important that we bring video cameras and/or audio recording devices to document the unlawful actions of  cops and security guards.

So put on your rally lens caps and clear your schedules for the first weekend in June.

NPRO Rally – Saturday, June 6th
Location: Los Angeles Harbor/Port of Long Beach
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Directions From Downtown Los Angeles: 110 S to Anaheim St Exit, Turn Left on Figueroa Place, Turn Left on W Anaheim St, W Anaheim St Turns Into E Anaheim St, End At N Henry Ford Ave, Park On Street
Directions From the 405 N/S: Exit 33B S Wilmington Ave, Travel West on S Wilmington Ave, Take First Left at E 223rd St, Right on S Alameda St, Continue on S Alameda St, Veer Left on to N Henry Ford Ave, End at Intersection of E Anaheim St and N Henry Ford Ave, Park on Street

 

NPRO Rally – Sunday, June 7th
Location: Pershing Square, Corner of S. Hill St. & W. 5th St., Los Angeles, CA 90013
Time: 11:30 a.m.

Photographers’ Rights Rally June 6th & 7th

Published May 25, 2009 Harassment , Photographers' Rights , Police Harassment , Protests , Rally , Security Guard Harassment 1 Comment
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NPRO Rally June 6th & 7th

The National Photographers’ Rights Weekend Rally is just two weeks away. So put your rally lens caps on and clear your schedules because this year’s event is taking place over two days (not just one like last year) and will certainly cause some controversy – as well as raise awareness for photographers’ rights.

For more info, email npro@discarted.com.

My Moment With a Famous Photographer

Published February 18, 2009 Documentary , Photojournalism , Protests 3 Comments
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When it comes to exceptional photography, there are photographers that are known within the photographic community, and then there are photographers that are known by everybody. And if they don’t know the photographer they have certainly seen their work. For instance, raising the flag on Iwo Jima (Joe Rosenthal), the napalm girl (Nick Ut), and the fire hoses in Birmingham (Charles Moore).

One weekend a few weeks back, while shooting a protest against the Israeli invasion of Palestine, I was standing on the edge of the curb right outside the Federal Building in LA, when I turned and saw one of the greats.

Almost instantly I thought, “Wait, is that –? Hold on. Yeah, it is.”

And then I thought, “Should I say something? Should I introduce myself?”

So I did.

Me: Hey, are you –?

He looks at me hesitantly, somewhat put off, like he’d been asked this question too many times his life – quietly hoping that I wouldn’t ask him about his famous photo.

Him: Yeah.

Me: I thought so, you know, I really enjoy your work.

Him: Thanks. Who are you? Who you work for?

Me: My name’s Shawn. I don’t work for anybody. I’m a documentary photographer doing this on my own.

And after I said that it seemed I really turned him off, like because I don’t work for a publication my work must not be any good.

So I thought about leaving, but I wanted to ask him a question about his work documenting one the world’s most violent gangs.

Continue reading ‘My Moment With a Famous Photographer’

Rally Guards Block NYC Photographer

Published February 4, 2009 Harassment , Photographers' Rights , Photojournalism , Protests , Rally , Security Guard Harassment 1 Comment
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We posted on a pro-Palestinian rally that took place in LA a few weeks back, and there was a similar event in New York City in January. This video shows a credentialed photographer being harassed by event “security guards” (which are actually just civilians in neon vests) and knocked over the head by protesters with signs. The NYPD doesn’t seem to care either.

If you go to 7:07 of the video, a guard/thug starts grabbing the photographer and then forces him far away from the protesters. The guard/thug then lunges at the photographer for no apparent reason other than he’s a hot head on some sort of a retribution mission. NYPD are nowhere to be found. And when they do finally show up, they’re useless.

This is America. Times Square. The photographer has credentials. It’s a public rally. This shouldn’t be happening here. But what’s truly puzzling is that there doesn’t seem to be any downside to letting a photojournalist photograph your event. What are they so worried about?

Protesting for Palestine

Published January 16, 2009 Photojournalism , Protests 4 Comments
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0318a004 Photos by Discarted

Discarted attended the pro-Palestinian protest at the Federal Building in Westwood in Los Angeles this past Saturday. Hundreds came out to show their support for Palestine as the conflict in Gaza rages on, and as expected, passions were on display, tensions were high and the LAPD was in full, excessive riot mode.

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LAPD arrests a protester for unknown reasons (below). Seconds before someone climbed a flagpole to hang the Palestinian flag next to the US one, leading to chaos between police and Palestinian activists.

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As the crowd grew larger (below), people confronted the LAPD, yelling “Let him go…Let him go!”, forcing the police, clad in riot gear, to back away and point their rubber bullet guns at peoples’ chests just three feet from them.

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For Photojournalist, Pen a Concealed Weapon

Published December 15, 2008 Harassment , Photographers' Rights , Police Harassment , Protests 1 Comment
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Also in London, also from Dec. 10, a photojournalist named Jesse Oldershaw was stopped and searched while covering protests in front of the Greek Embassy where people had gathered in reaction to the unrest in Greece.

At 4:25 of the video, a police officer, rather preposterously, asks if Oldershaw has a knife in his back pocket. As he is being directed off to the side, Oldershaw is screaming out, “Why am I being stopped and searched by the police for a yellow pen in my bag? Everybody can see the yellow pen!” and “I’m press, why am I being stopped and searched by the police at a demonstration?”

Oldershaw continues to give a play-by-play of the incident and at one point asks the police straight out their reasoning when he is protected by law to be doing what he’s doing. They largely ignore him, but one does seem to give him a ticket.

Law & Disorder at RNC

Published September 2, 2008 Harassment , Photographers' Rights , Police Harassment , Protests 1 Comment
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More rumblings from the Republican Convention: Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now!, was arrested in St. Paul today when she stepped in to help two of her producers who were being detained by Twin Cities police. AP photographer Matt Rourke was also arrested. They were both covering anti-war protests outside the convention.

While the crowd of more than 10,000 was mostly peaceful, there were pockets of aggressive demonstrators who vandalized windows and harassed law enforcement, which is apparently where Goodman and Rourke got caught up. The 51-year-old Goodman can be heard on the video pleading with police not to arrest her, but the cops, in full riot mode, weren’t in the mood to distinguish between journalists and protesters.

Read the Democracy Now! statement here.

Article from the AP via TwinCities.com.

Pride and Prejudice

Published June 12, 2008 Protests Leave a Comment
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Pride vs Prejudice

Photo by Discarted.

Taken at the LA Pride parade in West Hollywood, June 8.

Photographers Stand Up for their Rights

Published June 4, 2008 Photographers' Rights , Protests 1 Comment
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Naomi Mercer, host of the web series “Gadget Gossip,” passed up a beautiful day at the beach to document our first-ever Photographers’ Rights Day in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 1.  

Video by Naomi Mercer

A Good Start But a Long Way to Go

Published June 2, 2008 Protests 2 Comments
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NPRD Photographers 

The first-ever Photographers Rights Rally yesterday was a success — and a good start in getting the word out about this issue. About 35 people (from as far-flung as San Diego, Fullerton and Costa Mesa) showed up over the course of the day and we had LA County sheriffs (very cordially, I might add) supervise us at Hollywood and Highland and escort us on the Metro to Union Station. We had free reign to shoot wherever and whatever we liked. However, as predicted, as soon as the rally ended, things went back to normal and two photographers were harassed, one on the platform at Union Station and threatened with arrest. A letter was sent to Capt. Dan Finkelstein, MTA’s chief of police, Mayor Villaraigosa and Councilmen LaBonge and Garcetti asking to clarify their policies; no response yet.

To check out the shots of the day, click here.

And stay tuned for a photo/audio montage to be posted here soon.

Thanks to all who came out, shot pictures and showed support.

Photo by amianda

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