I had a bit of a to-do earlier today. It really made my blood boil, so I've sent the letter below to the manager of the market, cc:ed to the local paper and the British Journal of Photography.
I won't be pushed around (literally!) by people, especially self-righteous busybodies. I'll let you know the outcome, if there is one. And I'll post the offending photograph later. Grumpy > > Dear Sir or Madam, > > Earlier today (10 July 2011) one of your stallholders, who identified > himself as a photographer, assaulted me while I was taking photographs > in Greenwich Market. > > The incident began when he took hold of my arm and demanded to know if > I had asked permission of the person whose photograph I'd just taken. I > told him that I don't need permission to take photographs in public > places. He then claimed that he could arrest me, so I invited him to do > so. He took my arm again, pulling vigorously to try and move me along. > I told him to take his hands of me, and that continuing to detain me > was itself assault. Despite this, he held on to me until I freed > myself. After an exchange of words we parted company and I went about > my lawful activity. > > This is not the first time that a stallholder has tried to stop me > taking pictures, although it is the first time that one of them has > laid hands on me. > > Please would you make clear to all of your stallholders that > photography in public places is a legal activity. For the avoidance of > doubt, here is the link to a page about it on the Metropolitan Police > website: http://www.met.police.uk/about/photography.htm. > > Please also ask your stallholders to acquaint themselves with the law > as it applies to so-called citizen's arrest. In short, any attempt to > stop someone going about their lawful activities is itself illegal and > may be assault. If this happens to me again in Greenwich Market I will > press charges. > > This is not just a matter of law, it is also a matter of commercial > good sense for the stallholders. The incident today caused a scene. > Greenwich Market is a significant attractor of tourists and income to > the borough, to Greenwich Market and to the traders. Tourists and > locals alike enjoy taking photographs. If your stallholders take it > upon themselves to try and stop people taking photographs, then both > tourists & locals will stop coming, and we will all be worse off for > it. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
