I Am Not A Terorist - BJP Campaign

[Bobfrance]

Apologies if this is a re-post, but I've had a quick look and didn't find anything.

I thought I'd draw peoples attention to the 'Not A Crime' campaign that has just been started by the British Journal Of Photography.

To quote the Website: http://www.not-a-crime.com/

"Police routinely invoke anti-terror legislation to prevent photographers from carrying out their work, and photojournalists are constantly filmed at public gatherings and their details kept on an ever-growing database. Tourists, particularly foreign tourists, are also targeted by police, as was the case with an Austrian father and son recently who made the mistake of photographing a building of an extremely sensitive nature—Walthamstow bus station.
Put simply, Britain has become a no-photo zone, and so if you fail to comply, you may find yourself liable to attack, arrest or harassment. Recognising that Britain is not the only country where such a draconian anti-photographer culture is developing, the British Journal of Photography is beginning an international visual campaign to raise awareness.
Over the next year we hope to gather thousands of self-portraits of photographers-professional and amateur—from around the world, each holding up a white card with the words, ‘Not a crime’ or ‘I am not a terrorist’. "

I have been impressed with the BJP of late it has persistently persued the British government and police of this and related issues. This latest petition-style approach is largeley due to reluctance by those in positions of power to engage in a meaningful dialogue on the matter.

I have no idea if it will do any good - perhaps we're helping 'the man' complete his terrorist database - but personally I think it better to support them rather than stand by and do nothing, and so will be posting my ugly mug on the site soon.

The flickr group is here:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/iamnotaterrorist/

 

[__hh]

Good on them!!!

I'd love to get a T-shirt with their banner on it 🙂

 

[ZeissFan]

I notice that the police in the U.K. have been much rougher on photographers than the U.S. It seems that every week or so, a photographer is being stopped and arrested or ordered to delete photos or issued a summons.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I notice that the police in the U.K. have been much rougher on photographers than the U.S. It seems that every week or so, a photographer is being stopped and arrested or ordered to delete photos or issued a summons.

That's the crazy bit. Almost never a summons.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Thardy]

Well, it seems that govts. are forcing stuff on people all over the world. Be happy they're not trying to arbitrarily grab 2/3rds of your salary.

 

[Bobfrance]

For those more radical photographers, there is also FITwatch.

www.fitwatch.blogspot.com

Although I am not involved with FITwatch I do think they do good work in exercising their rights in order to ensure they are not eroded or misused by the authorities.

They describe themselves as, "[...]a fluid group of people who have come together to resist and oppose the tactics of the Forward Intelligence Teams (cops who harass protesters).
We hope to encourage a culture where their presence is not acceptable and to act when we see people being followed and harassed.
We aim to make it harder for them to photograph and intimidate us by getting in the way of their cameras, taking photos and publishing as much information as we can about them on our blog."

The site demonstrates that the camera is a very powerful tool in the hands of both the Police and (legitimate) protesters alike.

 

[aureliaaurita]

interesting, I was detained at paddington once for photographing a pigeon

!

they had no right whatsoever to even approach me

there is no law or restriction on taking photographs that are not for commercial use

people get power mad , particularly people who generally have no power.

 

[sweathog]

I'm going to have a proper look at that once I get home from work. From the excerpt it sounds like a very positive motion.

 

[Lilserenity]

Well what you are all forgetting is that EVERY photographer walking within 100yds of a child is a paedophile.

And also anybody taking photos of any building anywhere is a terrorist.

(In case you need some help: my sarcasm dial it turned up to 11 😛)

I remember once being stopped by a armed policeman outside the houses of parliament, surrounded by tourists all snapping away with theit cameras but I was stopped because I had a Canon SLR (big black film EOS 3) replete with that massively telephotographic 50mm lens 😉 When asked what I was doing, my answer of "Taking a picture of the houses of parliament" sounded so damn sarcastic without even wanting to make it sound like it!

On the positive side I have never been bothered in a negative way with my Leica from anybody. If I get a reaction it's either to do with "wicked old camera" from children (or whatever word they use now, probably 'sick' is the word these days 😉) or someone (usually older) recognising the twit bounding along some sidestreet, pavement or footpath towards them is carrying a Leica. That doesn't happen often mind.

Vicky

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

When asked what I was doing, my answer of "Taking a picture of the houses of parliament" sounded so damn sarcastic without even wanting to make it sound like it!

Sarcasm never plays well with self-inflating or self-appointed self-righteous saviours of the world. Indeed, it will be the excuse to harass you with their perceived sense of authority (the "perceived" part being that inflated one which they think they have on account of having some).

I'm beginning to wonder if wearing a curly mustache and practicing an evil chuckle would baffle them enough they'll leave you alone. Or a pink tutu. You know, become part of the Monty Python/Orson Welles style of governance. 😉

 

[Al Patterson]

Well, it seems that govts. are forcing stuff on people all over the world. Be happy they're not trying to arbitrarily grab 2/3rds of your salary.

Don't worry, that will happen as the number of old people increases as a percentage of the population...

 

[35mmdelux]

protesting is one way to skin this beast. my preferred method is to bring pressure to bear on individual pm members.

 

[Matus]

protesting is one way to skin this beast. my preferred method is to bring pressure to bear on individual pm members.

something like this one?

(sorry, couldn't help it, I know this is a serious issue ..)

 

[user237428934]

... but I was stopped because I had a Canon SLR (big black film EOS 3) replete with that massively telephotographic 50mm lens 😉 ...

You use a film camera. You probably develop the film at home. For developing you need chemicals. Terrorists use chemicals too. Do you get it?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

You use a film camera. You probably develop the film at home. For developing you need chemicals. Terrorists use chemicals too. Do you get it?

They better start arresting people who come out of the grocery store with cleaning supplies. If you mix them up they're deadly. Surely clean housekeepers are to make it to the top of the list.

 

[notturtle]

This is what happens when stupid people get into positions of authority.

The complete lack of thought, substance, reason, logic, evidence, or understanding behind the supposed solutions to problems never ceases to amaze me. The British Govt coined the phrase 'institutional racism' some years ago. I would say that institutional stupidity is the origin of so many issues.

I would ask, without stopping and harassing normal photographer, how can you be seen to be doing something (never mind whether it works)? How can you reassure the public. How can you manage their fear? How can you convince them that you really are doing everything possible to keep them safe? Of course in this little bit of Govt speak none of the real issues have been mentioned, discussed, or addressed and this is about the level of analysis and discourse we can expect from the Govt at a time when they have more important things to be concerned with, like not answering questions from the Select Committee and getting re-elected.

This is what happens when Govts no longer feel accountable to the people but instead believe the people are accountable to them.

 

[mfunnell]

The complete lack of thought, substance, reason, logic, evidence, or understanding behind the supposed solutions to problems never ceases to amaze me.

I'm convinced. You've met senior (or, in America, "executive") management.

Not a lot of fun, is it?

...Mike

P.S. I should correct myself. "Magical Thinking" can be entertaining. Not productive, mind you. But who cares about that?

 

[johannielscom]

...

This is what happens when Govts no longer feel accountable to the people but instead believe the people are accountable to them.

Governments like that create terrorists sooner or later. Sooner or later people are awaking from the fake democracy they are fed.

 

[Joao]

I'm beginning to wonder if wearing a curly mustache and practicing an evil chuckle would baffle them enough they'll leave you alone. Or a pink tutu. You know, become part of the Monty Python/Orson Welles style of governance. 😉

I agree, and or perhaps Sacha Baron Cohen style, or a Rowan Atkinson approach may work. There are plenty of inspiring creative options!
Joao