Photographers fight back

I have blogged many, many times about the way that this Labour government and its tame Police have been restricting the rights of photographers. The last two items showed how we photographers are seen as perverts and as terrorists, do read both articles and the articles they link to.

Today I see at SpyBlog that there is a fightback. Apparently the NUJ and comedian Mark Thomas are organising "a mass picture taking session outside London's police HQ on Monday 16 February - the day the act becomes law.". The NUJ article continues:

"Mark - who uses his comedy act to expose state and corporate wrongdoing - will be joined outside New Scotland Yard by renowned documentary-maker Chris Atkins, NUJ vice-president Pete Murray and a bevy of photographers.

Photojournalist and NUJ member Marc Vallée said: "The plan is simple, turn up with your camera and exercise your democratic right to take a photograph in a public place."

There have already been cases of photographers stopped from working by police quoting anti-terror laws.

John Toner, the NUJ's organiser who looks after freelance photographers, said: "Police officers are in news pictures at all sorts of events - football matches, carnivals, state processions - so the union wants to make it clear that taking their pictures is not the act of a criminal.

"Our members are photographers - not terrorists."

Roy Mincoff, NUJ Legal Officer, said: "Photographers do not want to endanger the health and safety of the police or the public - but it is important in a democracy that they can do their jobs properly without facing unnecessary legal restrictions."

The photo taking will start at 11am outside New Scotland Yard on Broadway, London."

I will see you there.