Photographers take a stand in LA – June 1st, 2008

Photographers throughout Los Angeles, with cameras in hand, will gather at Hollywood and Highland and Union Station to peacefully rally against the unnecessary treatment they have received from security guards, LAPD, and LASD while photographing in public places, and on the Metro.

Start Time: 11:00am
Location: Hollywood and Highland, 6801 Hollywood Los Angeles, CA 90028

At about 1:30pm we will board the Metro and travel to Union Station for more picture taking.

Start Time: 2:00pm
Location: 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Flickr Group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/laprotest/
Media Inquiries: info@discarted.com

I’ve taken a few sporadic photos around the Metro areas, like my photo above. Since I’m on the move, I continue on to my next destination without any thought or confrontation.

On Wednesday, I took some photos before boarding the Metro Red Line at Wilshire/Normandie. Then, while waiting at the train platforms for the Metro Gold Line at Union Station, I put my camera away. With my sunglasses and earbuds on, I saw a Los Angeles County Sheriff come into sight in the corner of my eye.

“What kind of camera is that?”

“Oh, it’s a Canon 40D.”

“Really? I have a 5D.”

Whoa!

It turns out that if he’s not at work or taking care of his son, he’s all about photography. He hasn’t been as active lately, but he’d like to be. I gave him my card, offered to hang out to photowalk sometime, then boarded the light rail. He was really nice.

Hi Manny!

Another time, I saw a photographer with a Canon “L” series lens photographing the length of the Gold Line light rail. She was taking photos for about three minutes until we left. Twenty feet from her, two LA County Sheriffs had a man sitting on a bench, wearing handcuffs.

I don’t think enough people are informed.

So, why do I plan to participate in this rally?

1. With the frequency that I take photos, especially around the Metro stations, it’s bound to happen to me.
2. I love street photography, so if I want more art to be created, we need to help those artists. We don’t band together and cause some sort of organized ruckus, ignorant people might push those artists to the point where they no longer want to create art.
3. To inform people.

Join us.

See also:

• discarted.wordpress.com
• LA Protest Flickr Group
• A Guide to Your Right to Protest (National Lawyers Guild – Los Angeles Chapter)
• The Photographer’s Right (Bert P. Krages, Attorney at Law)
• Taking pictures on LA’s Red Line violates the “9/11 Law” (BoingBoing)
• Photographers stand up for your rights in LA, June 1 (BoingBoing)
• Your Rights as a Photographer, Part II: The Protest! (Los Angeles Metblog)