Re: [Leica] Busted with my M2

[S Dimitrov <sld@earthlink.net>]

The cost is much worst than just hurt pride and inconvenience. All arrestees
have now an inexpugnable record that can and will be used at the discretion of
any law enforcement agency and/or judicial entity whenever that individual comes
into contact with them. It may even affect the ability to acquire or renew press
credentials. The records may even be passed over to foreign nationals as a
courtesy without breaking any US laws. Real fun stuff here.
The great concern right now is that such para-military police behavior is being
seen as normal or beneficial by Joe and Betty Citizen. My colleagues in the
press corp., the ones that don't have multi-million dollar contracts that is,
have been seriously concerned. Even press entities that have had a seamless, and
by some accusations a collaborative, relationship with law enforcement are
feeling the pressure.
Destruction of evidence and trampling of civil rights is a daily occurrence. In
Los Angeles, everything imaginable as happened down to outright assassinations.
Yet, until there is an outcry from the core of the citizenry, law enforcement
will keep on doing what it feels is right.

Slobodan Dimitrov


Guy Bennett wrote:

> >My wife (a journalist for Fortune and FSB) and I were picked up with 600
> >other folk as part of a pre-emptive arrest the day before the big IMF rally
> >in D.C. Unfortunately, no, we did not beat the rap, which boiled down to
> >'parading' without a permit.
> >At any rate, though they never took away my M2, they did eventually discover
> >it and tried to remove the film. Upon encountering the Leica loading system,
> >however, they were stumped, and  on pain of seeing them destroy the shutter
> >curtain, I willingly removed the film myself. A real shame. I had what I
> >think would have been some nice shots with my attached Cosina 25mm. They
> >also destroyed my wife's reporter's notebook. I guess after a hard day of
> >stomping on people's constitutional rights the last thing you need is a
> >bunch of pesky journalists and photographers mucking around.
> >
> >Aaron
>
> at the risk of sounding hopelessly naive, i had no idea that the police
> could *legally* confiscate your film and destroy your wife's notes. (marc,
> can you explain why this is ok?) that is truly pathetic. guess i shouldn't
> be surprised.
>
> maybe there's cause for joy here, after all. had this happened in my
> hometown (l.a.), you might have both been beaten as well, maybe even
> suicided had you been unfortunate enough to spend the night in jail. in the
> end, all it seems to have cost you was $50 and some respect.
>
> :>(
>
> guy