Good God, now photographers are harassed b/c of the "Patriot" act!!

[Deja Q]

http://www.2600.com/news/view/article/1441

Maginnis's morning commute took him past the Adams Mark Hotel on Court Place. Maginnis, who says he always carried his camera wherever he went, snapped about 30 pictures of the hotel and the surrounding area - which included Denver police, Army rangers, and rooftop snipers. Maginnis, who works in information technology, frequently photographs such subjects as corporate buildings and communications equipment.

The following is Maginnis's account of what transpired:

As he was putting his camera away, Maginnis found himself confronted by a Denver police officer who demanded that he hand over his film and camera. When he refused to give up his Nikon F2, the officer pushed him to the ground and arrested him.

After being brought to the District 1 police station on Decatur Street, Maginnis was made to wait alone in an interrogation room. Two hours later, a Secret Service agent arrived, who identified himself as Special Agent "Willse."

http://www.toomuchsexy.org/index/weblog/comments/photography_is_not_a_crime/

Photography is NOT a crime

I was declared a terrorist, today. As I was walking around campus photographing art, buildings, cars, people, I was stopped by police.

The policemen asked who I was, what I was doing, why I was taking photographs, where I lived, all the good stuff. When I told them I was a student taking photographs for my own personal enjoyment (a concept they couldn’t comprehend); I was told this is illegal under the USA PATRIOT act.



You know, a little common sense goes a LONG way in regard to balancing freedom with security.

[sakabatou]

1. Hoo boy...

[MichiganVote]

2. Some people are getting a lot of satisfaction pushing other people

around these days.

[Daphne08]

3. Slowly the American people are going to discover just how

intrusive the (badly written) Patriot Act really is, and they're going to rebel against it.

That is my prayer anyway. I'll never feel safe in this country again until that horrid law is repealed! There's too much wiggle room for abuse such as Section 802.

[ET Awful]

4. This has been going on quite a while actually.

This was the first incident I saw any detail on http://69.93.170.43/

[VPStoltz]

8. This same thing happened to a tourist.

The "tunnel" in Seattle, which is actually where the city buses travel was built in the 90's and is actually kind of cool looking. This tourist was taking some shots of "architectural interest" and was accosted by the SPD. Hassle upon hassle for this poor guy only to find out that it is NOT illegal to do this. These freaks are out of control.

[ThoughtCriminal]

5. Rail and Availtion Enthusiasts have been running into this

since 9/11

Even when on public property. Part of it is corporate paranoia about photographs exposing enviromental and safety violations. Security is just an excuse.

The really stupid part is that the presence of cameras actually may DETER terrorists. The idea that this harrasment actually is improving security is insane. Do they think terrorists don't know how to hide cameras or use Google Earth?

[July]

6. Our friends visiting from Spain didn't believe us when we warned

them not to take pictures of bridges, govt. buildings, etc. in New York City. They did not believe it, and they grew up under Franco.

[flamin lib]

7. In college working on my photography degree a fellow student

went on location to shoot an architectural study for class. While he was setting up a rent-a-cop came over and gave him a ration of $#it for being on private property and yada yada yada.

The student listened politely and then took out his note pad and asked for name, id and supervisor.

"What's that for?"

"Well, I'm here on assignment from XYZ Building Management to shoot for the new brochure. My day rate is $800 with or without photos. I'm sure that Bill Smith over at XYZ advertising and promotions is going to want to know who to talk to about my bill."

He not only got his photos, but had the rent-a-cop directing traffic and emptying parking lots for him.

Nothing to do with Patriot, just a funny story of quick thinking and high testosterone levels.

[smoogatz]

9. You've got to keep an eye on them dangerous picture-takers--

more'n likely, they're up to no damn good.