[Leica] UK police use anti-terrorism laws to stop photographers -- and so do American ones

[steve.barbour at gmail.com (Steve Barbour)]

On Dec 13, 2009, at 2:21 PM, <tedgrant at shaw.ca> <tedgrant at shaw.ca> 
wrote:

> Steve Unsworth offered:
> Subject: Re: [Leica] UK police use anti-terrorism laws to stop 
> photographers -- and so do American ones
> 
> 
>> If you think that's bad, welcome to Stasi Britain...
>> > <http://www.bindmans.com/index.php?id=672>
> 
> My favorite part:
> "Each accredited NUJ member has a unique PIN number and photographic ID, 
> and the police have access to a 24 hour ?hotline? that they can call to 
> verify the personal details and identity of a legitimate member of the 
> press. The Guidelines set out that the police will recognise the holder of 
> a valid Press Card, issued by the UK Press Card Authority Limited, as ?a 
> bona fide news gatherer?."
> 
> Greg Lorenzo responded:
>>> It seems the UK is no longer a nanny state but has become a uber nanny 
>>> state with Elsa, she wolf of the SS, in the role of nanny.  Internal 
>>> papers is something found in Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union not a 
>>> democratic western state.<<<<
> 
> Crew,
> I maybe in the UK spring time working on a new book about medical students 
> in training and I find this police crap rather unnerving! I really do not 
> need any twit melon head cop giving me a hard time in Oxford while 
> photographing med students dissecting a human body!
> 
> The "officer" may find himself singing soprano for the rest of his days, 
> as it's only a quick nick from Baritone to Soprano! ;-) :-) Hey and I know 
> how to do that one, having photographed it many times on calves and a 
> couple of unknowing males! ;-) Yeah it was all legal and in the OR! Trust 
> me it's QUICK! :-)
> 
> So what does one do? Apply for a "Photographer Visa" before entering the 
> UK? I never had this kind of "challenging incompetents even in the old 
> Soviet Union!"
> 
> So what we read here is that if I were spending a quiet down time 
> strolling the Thames across from the Parliament Buildings and I'm doing 
> plain old fashion happy snaps and the cops could came along they could 
> arrest or detain me? If this kind of garbage is kept up by pointee headed, 
> "a lose term... Police officers?" It sure could play hell with the tourist 
> industry that is already in panic state due to the economic conditions 
> around the world!
> 
> Maybe a couple of the Brit members and myself could set something up as a 
> test case. They quietly off with teles covering me while I do everything 
> "bad guy looking taking pictures" and see what happens. I give the cops a 
> hard time, I don't ever do that as you get into trouble and no pictures 
> usually. But in this case it might be interesting just to prove how stupid 
> the law is being applied by some officers who really don't know their own 
> regulations.
> 
> I could sue for millions and the Brit guys and myself share the spoils! 
> :-) You gotta love the plan? :-)
> 
> We'd all have 3 M9's, 3 new lenses to fit! :-)  See if you stick with the 
> old doc you'll end up "Laughing, or wearing handcuffs! And booze is the 
> only answer!" Not too much! :-)


wow Ted,  are you drinking out of the same bottle as Rabiner?


Steve


> 
> A few ramblings! :-)
> cheers,
> the old doc! ;-)
> 
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