Comments on The Gowanus Lounge: MTA Harasses Photographer at Atlantic Yards

I got harassed by an MTA conductor on St Patricks ...

2008-03-21T16:48:00.000-04:00

I got harassed by an MTA conductor on St Patricks Day for taking pictures in Grand Central!

Ah, the whittling away of our documentary freedoms...

2008-02-06T18:53:00.000-05:00

Ah, the whittling away of our documentary freedoms. As if things will get any better with Clinton or Obama. Let's not forget "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the Ban on HIV/AIDS Immigration, were Clinton Administration blunders. Next they will take away the Internet.

I oppose AY and of course this action is unjustifi...

2008-02-06T06:06:00.000-05:00

I oppose AY and of course this action is unjustifiable. But I can see, as an AY opponent, that it is also illegal.

I support AY, but this action is completely unjust...

2008-02-05T22:53:00.000-05:00

I support AY, but this action is completely unjustified. The MTA had better watch it.

Yes, photographs are allowed of just about anythin...

2008-02-05T16:46:00.000-05:00

Yes, photographs are allowed of just about anything from a public sidewalk. Many property and store owners don't know this (even some police don't know this) and will give you trouble. It's a good idea to be as polite as possible, but emphasize your rights and carry a copy of the Photographer's Rights (a free downloadable PDF) and the phone number of the local precinct. Kindly offer to call the police if anyone hassles you.

And she was right, they never, ever, ever have the right to confiscate your camera or film. You can successfully sue anyone who does so, including the police.

I'll repeat here what I posted at AYR..."Finally, ...

2008-02-05T16:36:00.000-05:00

I'll repeat here what I posted at AYR...

"Finally, she said, he asked if she was part of any organization "opposing these Yards." She said no. He said "You know the project is probably going to go through."

That was a very, very stupid thing for the MTA cop to say, because worse than his illegal attempt to confiscate the camera, this makes it clear that his intent was arbitrary in hindering the exercise of her legal rights.

His intent did not seem to be block photographers, but to block opponents of the project.

That's a very big legal no-no.

This is scary stuff.. and the second incident I am...

2008-02-05T10:57:00.000-05:00

This is scary stuff.. and the second incident I am reading about in less than a month! There was another incidet recently reported at the Found in Brooklyn blog .... re: a Scarano building if I am not mistaken

i've been told on several occasions that i could n...

2008-02-05T09:45:00.000-05:00

i've been told on several occasions that i could not photograph buildings or demolition sites, never by the MTA nor police (which surprises me), but by people i assume were either security or demolition foremen.

i've always told them that i have every right to photograph from a public sidewalk, and i've never gotten the hassle that Katherin has.