Reported Confiscation of All Cameras in N.O.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

There is a report that all cameras are being confiscated.

http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/pol/96042255.html

I don't think there is any law which allows them to confiscate cameras.

It is my understanding that they can ask a photographer to leave a scene if the photographer may be in the way or at risk, but they can't confiscate a photographer's tool of the trade, their engine of freedom of expression.

Photographer's rights: http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

1. Laws?.....What Laws? Rights?....What Rights? nt

[spuddonna]

2. This is MARTIAL LAW...

Here, we don't need any parlez about the Constitution, savvy?

[onecent]

3. what REALLY is going on down there? Are they going to burn

the city down since NO ONE IS BUSY removing the bodies??

[freemen2005]

7. This is what will happen

Once they have removed all the survivors and looted all the valuables, a fire will mysteriously start and engulf the poor areas. They wont be able to fight it and it will burn for days, weeks, whatever.

Then developers will swoop in and start building on the newly freed land.

Or the could always use the new eminent domain clause.

sneaky buggers i tell ya

[Ms. Clio]

9. Yes, I agree, that is pretty much exactly what will happen

I seem to be the only one who remembers the images of the entire town that burned after the Mississippi floods, buildings burnng at the top while they stood in water--and that was apparently due to natural causes.

[Child_Of_Isis]

4. They are also forcefully removing folks.

200 arrests last night. They are having a press conference and a lawyer said no one was forcefully removed. All the while the camera was showing folks in handcuffs. Something weird is going on down there.

[amandabeech]

6. My guess is that the persons in cuffs did something that the police

could characterize, by stretching all the way to Bombay, as some misdemeanor. A lot of people are very upset and stretched to the limit. Who know, maybe NO has an ordinance against public swearing. I doubt that anyone will be charged or prosecuted for this stuff.

I know that it is the minority opinion around here, but I think that everyone must be removed for the time being for health and safety reasons. I tremble, however, that this will leave * in charge. Who knows how much mischief he and his friends can do without cameras watching.

[Xithras]

5. Is there, or isn't there, martial law in NO?

If martial law has been declared, the Constitution is suspended and the city is operating under the UCMJ. The UCMJ does allow the military to restrict press movements and actions. Of course, the UCMJ was written with the INTENT that these types of restrictions would only happen in live combat zones, and AFAIK those restrictions have never before been tested on US soil.

[sarcasmo]

8. Martial Law is the only thing going on down in Norleans right now.

Imagine what will happen when the BIG ONE hits Cali.