Photographer Rights Activist Harassed

[ALC Rail Writer]

This blog was reported on the major cable news networks as these two go at it. One, a photographer who decided to take videos of a subway to prove he would be harassed. Two, a cool-headed albeit backwards headed LA County Sheriff who can't seem to justify his detainment of the photographer.

I especially like the part where the cop attempts to justify the stance of the law by saying Al Queda was looking to buy videos and that he didn't know if this kid was trying to sell his videos to terrorists...

... As if Al Queda can't buy MetroCards (or whatever LA uses).

 

[Neil_M]

This blog was reported on the major cable news networks as these two go at it. One, a photographer who decided to take videos of a subway to prove he would be harassed. Two, a cool-headed albeit backwards headed LA County Sheriff who can't seem to justify his detainment of the photographer.
I especially like the part where the cop attempts to justify the stance of the law by saying Al Queda was looking to buy videos and that he didn't know if this kid was trying to sell his videos to terrorists...

... As if Al Queda can't buy MetroCards (or whatever LA uses).

Thats the way it works, arrest him, then work out what you are going to charge him with.

Anyway, terrorist metro souvenirs available here..... http://www.video125.co.uk/acatalog/Victoria_Line.html

 

[Rail Freak]

Wonder who was videoing this scene?

RF

 

[DET63]

Wonder who was videoing this scene?RF

I believe it was the photographer himself, Shawn Nee.

 

[DET63]

LASD OFFICER RICHARD GYLFIE, PHOTOGRAPHY IS NOT A CRIME

Comments:

Alastair says:
November 9, 2009 at 1:05 am

Got to say, the cop was mostly reasonable, certainly near the end of the video. Initially, I felt he was quite

unreasonable but he explained clearly why the photographer was being detained and I felt that the photographer was being rather defensive and uncooperative. No, he wasn’t doing anything illegal but if the police officer became susipicious then he was quite within his right to investigate.

 

That said, in his position I would have, and have, felt rather put out. In his position I probably would have just dropped the attitude, cooperated and explained exactly why and what I was photographing and he perhaps wouldn’t have been detained for 30 minutes. I have been approached by police officers on a number of occasions while out taking photos and simply explaining what I was doing, which was no real hardship, had the police on their way and me continuing to take photos.

 

I’m more often in agreement with you on matters such as this Thomas, but on this occasion I can’t say the attitude of the photographer helped him one iota.

Jeffry van der Goot says:
November 9, 2009 at 2:55 am

I’m really sick of people saying that he should’ve just been nicer to the cops and it all would’ve ended amicably.

 

That’s probably true, but why should take this **** from the police? They’re here to serve and protect us. They’re not above the law, or some holy man, they’re the public’s servants. If he starts wildly accusing you of being a terrorist, I wouldn’t just calm down and explain my point to him.

 

Letting the police walk all over us is giving up.