Around 150 photographers held a mass photo shoot outside Scotland Yard in protest at a new anti-terror law.
LONDON – Tourists better think twice now before snapping pictures of the iconic British bobby. A new British anti-terrorism law went into effect Monday that could effectively bar photographers from taking pictures of police or military personnel — a move that prompted some 200 photographers to protest outside of Scotland Yard’s headquarters. Although the measure aims to prevent terrorists from taking reconnaissance shots, photographers say it could be misused at a whim to stop any pictures from being taken — especially images involving police abuse and demonstrations. “This law makes it much more difficult to photograph any kind of public demonstration or riot,” said Marc Vallee, a protester and photographer. “The police are already suspicious of photographers and this just gives them more ammunition to stop us at our work.”
Britain has come under fire in recent years for several measures that civil liberties groups say erode people’s freedoms. In 2005, another law prohibited demonstrations around Parliament.
The new act makes it a crime to “elicit, publish or communicate information” about British police or military personnel. It is legal to take photographs in any public space, but photographers complain they have been harassed by police while taking photographs near airports, government buildings or train tracks under the Terrorism Act 2000, which gives police the right to stop, search and question anyone taking photographs.
Ha! As the saying goes, If they didn’t have anything to hide, they wouldn’t mind being photographed. Here are more photos of these terrorists gleefully breaking the law…amusing stuff.
What a biting wit! Such elegant and cogent destruction of an opponent’s argument! Here’s a hint: “Troll” is easier and quicker to type than “Troublemaker” and it’s more accurate.
It is obvious that now all media in Britain must forthwith delete any and all mentions, representations, etc. of British police and military personnel. No more Dr. Who, for example (that call box is too close to the line). No more war movies, and certainly no more crime dramas. The newspapers will be able to save millions on ink and paper by not printing stories and especially photos concerning law enforcement and military matters. Telephone directories will now be that much lighter, saving more millions by no longer listing the local constabulary or its members. All military and police will have to become unpersons. I won’t even go into the list of proscribed words.
And what about the Beefeaters? Will it now be illegal to photograph the changing of the guard? Will we have to change the name of the element Copper?
I had always hoped to visit Great Britain some day. Now I feel that if I ever do go, I will have to go about in manacles and leg irons, with a blindfold and a big rectangle of black tape across my mouth, wearing black and white striped clothing, including a skullcap.
They’ve kept member of Dutch Parliament Geert Wilders form entering the country, so I’m not too surprised.
Another sad day in the UK.
Sounds like the conservative Tories will have to brought in to clean up this liberal made mess…