[Leica] Proposed photography ban on NYC subways and buses

[ceejayay at earthlink.net (Charles Attardi)]

Hi, everyone,

I've been lurking on this list and others, and I've come forward to ask if 
you can help fellow NY photographers in a jam. The powers-that-be in charge 
of the NY subway system, in their infinite wisdom, want to ban all non-media 
photography throughout the system in the name of
security. We find it odd to request such a ban at the same time that the 
transit authority, the MTA, is proudly running a photo exposition heralding 
the works of such greats as Henri Cartier-Bresson, who would be subject to 
arrest if he decided to capture a few decisive moments on the A train today. 
Also, we think that because the NY subways are the stuff of legend and 
anyone who hasn't been rooming with hermit crabs on a remote beach somewhere 
for the past century must have seen photos of them, it's a tad late for the 
security conscious to be banning photography now.

If the ban is finalized, press passes will be de rigueur and all amateurs 
will have to announce themselves to the authorities and apply for permits. 
Anyone who remembers the horror story of a man in Ohio who decided to 
photograph a sculpture that happened to be on the plaza of a federal office 
building and was subjected to hours of interrogation and harsh treatment 
because of it should take this opportunity to say Enough! One need not be a 
regular rider to leave comments on the MTA website, only a concerned 
photographer who knows the difference between a reasonable sacrifice of 
freedom and an absurd overreaching of the fear-obsessed.

The necessary information and links follow this message below. Thanks for 
your help.

Charles Attardi


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Straphangers Network" <network@straphangers.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 12:25 AM
Subject: MTA Photo Ban - What's Your View?


Dear rider:

The MTA is now accepting comments on its proposal to ban photographs, film 
and video in the subway and bus system.  We strongly urge you to express 
your views by commenting at:  http://www.mta.info/nyct/rules/proposed.htm  
(The option for sending an e-mail to the MTA can be found at the bottom of 
the MTA's description of its proposals.  Don't be discouraged by the MTA's 
confusing e-mail form.)

For information and arguments against the ban, you can visit: 
http://www.straphangers.org/photoban/

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 One Click to a Better Commute - http://www.straphangers.org