mark1447 Posted June 11, 2011 Share #1 Posted June 11, 2011 A week or so old but here you go: Christopher Fussell likes to take pictures of trains and buses. The 29-year-old Oregonian has shot photos and video of transit systems all over the United States. It wasn't until he came to Baltimore, he said Tuesday, that he was detained for committing photography. The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland put the Maryland Transit Administration on notice Tuesday that it intends to file suit over the conduct of transit police in ordering Fussell and another photographer to stop taking pictures. The group warned that unless the agency meets a series of conditions by Sept. 1, it will take the MTA to court — where it expects to win. "Photography is expressive activity that is protected by the First Amendment," said ACLU staff attorney David Rocah. "If you are legally present, you have a right to take photographs." Continues..: http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/commuting/bs-md-mta-aclu-20110531,0,1463758,full.story Video of the conflict http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iMr76atjUA&feature=share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTK246 Posted June 11, 2011 Share #2 Posted June 11, 2011 ...and this is news because? I get stopped by an MTA worker occasionally because they say it's "illegal" take photos. Happens all across the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1447 Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted June 11, 2011 ...and this is news because? I get stopped by an MTA worker occasionally because they say it's "illegal" take photos. Happens all across the world. Because it is news....? Pretty much I had no idea in Maryland there was a law that prohibited photography. Hopefully that is dropped.. In the future I plan on visiting the city of Baltimore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nabinut Posted June 11, 2011 Share #4 Posted June 11, 2011 That's the thing. It isn't any law. The content of the stop was less about photographing the trains and more about the area he was in (Armory building was half a block away). The few times I have been stopped, the excuse was you can photograph on public property but not MTA property. Back in October. the MTA administrator told me and several other photographers that snapping shots on MTA property was legal. Now, the MTA police knows it...I hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1447 Posted June 12, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted June 12, 2011 That's the thing. It isn't any law. The content of the stop was less about photographing the trains and more about the area he was in (Armory building was half a block away). The few times I have been stopped, the excuse was you can photograph on public property but not MTA property. Back in October. the MTA administrator told me and several other photographers that snapping shots on MTA property was legal. Now, the MTA police knows it...I hope. Isnt MTA Metro/LRT/Bus system public property? As it is used by the public. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilbluefoxie Posted June 12, 2011 Share #6 Posted June 12, 2011 Im waiting for PATHs photo ban to be challenged in court. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nexis4Jersey Posted June 14, 2011 Share #7 Posted June 14, 2011 Im waiting for PATHs photo ban to be challenged in court. I asked the PA cops what they thought about it and they thought it ridiculous aswell. They said if you ask them most of the time they'll let you.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
553 Bridgeton Posted June 14, 2011 Share #8 Posted June 14, 2011 I asked the PA cops what they thought about it and they thought it ridiculous aswell. They said if you ask them most of the time they'll let you.... Who the hell wants to ask to take a pic? F*** I look like going up to a PA cop asking "Hey Mr.Cop can I take a pic of this PA5". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nexis4Jersey Posted June 14, 2011 Share #9 Posted June 14, 2011 Who the hell wants to ask to take a pic? F*** I look like going up to a PA cop asking "Hey Mr.Cop can I take a pic of this PA5". Well he was very nice about it.....if you ask and tell them its for public use and not private use most of the time they will let you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
553 Bridgeton Posted June 14, 2011 Share #10 Posted June 14, 2011 Well he was very nice about it.....if you ask and tell them its for public use and not private use most of the time they will let you. Asking to take a picture of public transportation is stupid. Its not "Private Transportation". Ive seen plenty off people taking pics of PATH with no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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