By
wayan on June 30th, 2007
From Marc Fisher, Washington Post:
“Chip Py’s run-in with the picture police of downtown Silver Spring has morphed into a good old American fight for the right to express oneself.
Py, a Silver Spring resident, discovered earlier this month that what looks and feels like any old public downtown is in reality a private, if roofless, shopping mall where private security guards can and will stop you from taking pictures just because the developer who controls the place feels like exercising its control jones.
Now, amateur photographers from all around the region have decided that they too can flex their muscles, and they plan to gather on Ellsworth Drive on the Fourth of July to demonstrate their right to take photographs in a public setting. The Free Our Streets movement is quickly gathering steam, and that’s caused something of a reaction from the powers that be.
The Peterson Companies, the developer that took advantage of $100 million in generous taxpayer support to get their lovely downtown retail strip going, is apparently running scared, and has offered what it terms a compromise. But it’s an empty offer. Peterson will put up a “Welcome Photographers” banner, but the reality is that the company is in no way conceding that the street it controls is open to the public in any meaningful way”
Posted in Press & Media | No Comments »
By
wayan on June 30th, 2007
Have you looked at the Penguin poll on Ellsworth Drive photography lately?
There you’ll note that 91% of respondents so far believe that photography should be allowed in Downtown Silver Spring.
We at Free Our Streets agree, of course, but we also believe that photography on Ellsworth Drive should not be subject to a policy statement.
Our goal is to have PFA Silver Spring LC welcome photography, videography, and other filming on Ellsworth Drive, consistent with First Amendment rights as they would apply on any other public street. And we invite you to join us in our efforts.
You can contact your councilmembers to express your opinions on the matter and join us on the 4th of July for the Downtown Silver Spring Photo Walk.
Posted in Press & Media | No Comments »
By
wayan on June 29th, 2007
From Just up the Pike:
“SIDE NOTE: I was accosted by security this afternoon while attempting to photograph the atrium of an office building on 12th Street in Downtown D.C. - while at work there . . .
This morning, the Peterson Companies has offered an olive branch of sorts to the photographers and bloggers it has recently slighted in Silver Spring (a detailed play-by-play of which can be found at the Baltimore Sun)….
…Peterson, owner of the Downtown Silver Spring complex, recently came under scrutiny for its “no photography” policy on Ellsworth Drive after security guards accosted photographer Chip Py two weeks ago. Py was unimpressed by the Peterson Companies’ reversal. On the Free Our Streets blog, he said that the photographers’ protest planned for July 4th on Ellsworth will go on as planned.”
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By
Chip Py on June 29th, 2007
I am a photographer. On September June 12 of this year, two representatives from the Peterson Companies, managers of the trademarked Downtown Silver Spring, asked me not to take pictures on Ellsworth Drive. At that time, the representatives misrepresented the facts regarding ownership of Ellsworth Drive, and made deliberately misleading statements over the questions that I raised regarding my First Amendment rights in a seemingly public place.
Immediately following this incident, I wrote a letter to the County Executive and to each of the members of the county council. I posted this letter on the popular photography site, Flickr.
My letter raised the question as to where the public’s civil rights end and the corporation’s privacy rights begin when there is a publicly funded/privately partnered development, in which public monies and land are developed, and then turned over to private corporations. These rights, I reasoned, not only included photography, but on a much more important note, the freedom to petition, campaign, assemble and protest, rights guaranteed by our Constitution. I asked the County Executive and members of the county council to begin a dialog about this important issue with the Peterson Companies.
In the last few weeks my letter, picked up off the Flickr site, has enjoyed wide circulation on the internet. Additionally, every major newspaper in this area reported on the issue and the questions I raised. My story was carried on national TV and syndicated public radio. Washington Post columnist Marc Fisher took a stance in his column last Thursday, which continued in his on-line chat room that afternoon. Local Listservs in the area are abuzz. Members of several prominent Blogs and newly formed photo rights groups in the area came together to organize a photo outing and protest in downtown Silver Spring this coming Independence Day to highlight the true issue here.
While council member Marc Erlich has spoken about this in the press, and I have heard from staff members and insiders that this has been hot topic in the county offices in Rockville the last two weeks, many council members and the county executive have yet to weigh in on the issue.
I am growing concerned that our elected representatives have not yet taken a decisive stance over the growing concern that in downtown Silver Spring, our civil rights may be in jeopardy.
This morning the Peterson Companies, managers and developers of the trademarked “Downtown Silver Spring,” issued a statement. They will allow photography and video taping on Ellsworth Avenue. They make provision, however, that the arrangement can be rescinded. The new policy makes no statement regarding the important issues that I have raised.
In my opinion, the Peterson Companies is missing the point. Not one of the media outlets covered this story out of a concern for the photo enthusiast. This issue has exploded in the minds and the hearts of the people hearing my story, because they fear that civil liberties are being trammeled in public/private partnerships.
With many more of these public/private partnerships now under consideration not only here in Montgomery County but also in nearby College Park and around the country these are questions that deserve to be addressed by not only by our citizens but by our public officials too.
Please join us at noon on the fourth of July. We will gather at the green turf to let our county officials know that the people of Silver Spring will not have their rights under minded and restricted in our town.
Posted in Why I Participate | 5 Comments »
By
wayan on June 29th, 2007
Below is the Downtown Silver Spring Center policy statement we received from PFA Silver Spring, LC:
“We welcome photography, videography and other filming at our Center. We permit all of these activities, as long as our patrons and tenants are neither harassed nor photographed or filmed over their objection. Also, any activity which would interfere with pedestrian or vehicular movement requires advance management approval. We continue to encourage patrons to report inappropriate behavior to police and security personnel. We reserve the right to modify this and other policies.”
Posted in Ellsworth Drive | 3 Comments »
By
wayan on June 29th, 2007
From the Baltimore Sun:
The snapshots seemed harmless, or so Chip Py thought.
Strolling around downtown Silver Spring on a recent afternoon, the amateur photographer began shooting the architecture of one of the city’s grandest revitalization efforts — a popular mix of shops, restaurants and outdoor gathering spaces that has transformed the once sleepy downtown area.
The photo shoot was cut short when a security guard ordered Py to stop, saying that photographs were not allowed on the private property.
Py was upset. Wasn’t downtown Silver Spring, a project built with millions in city and state funds, a public space?
According to the developers and Montgomery County officials, the answer is no. Py has since organized a group of about 250 concerned residents and consulted an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union to fight what he called an attack on his First Amendment rights.
Last night, the development team, PFA Silver Spring LLC, issued a new policy, allowing photography in the area. And on July 4, it plans to display a “Welcome Photographers” banner on the site.
But Py insists photography is not his sole concern. All types of free expression should be permitted, from political campaigning to handing out fliers and other literature, he said. “They are telling us it’s OK to take pictures on the street, but we don’t have any other First Amendment rights,” he said. “They don’t want to talk about public-private rights on a street. … We are asking for some First Amendment considerations in our town.”
At noon on Independence Day, Py’s group is planning a march on Ellsworth Drive, which runs through the development.
Posted in Press & Media | No Comments »
By
wayan on June 28th, 2007
If you, like we, are concerned about your ability to photograph in Downtown Silver Spring without undue restrictions from the development partnership including the Peterson Companies, and you are a Montgomery County voter, then we suggest you contact your duly elected representative and express your feelings on the matter.
Montgomery County Councilmember Contact Information
Posted in MoCo Politicians | 1 Comment »
By
wayan on June 28th, 2007
From Associated Content:
“Washington DC area photographers, fed up with developers and security officials attempting to restrain their right to take photographs in public spaces, will challenge the bans this Independence Day in the true spirit of American patriots.
Since 9/11, photographers have increasingly complained about security guards and others interfering with their right to photograph in public spaces. When amateur photographer Chip Py was stopped in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, a Washington, DC suburb, in mid-June by a security guard who told him that photography was banned in downtown Silver Spring, his fellow photographers sprang into action, planning an Independence Day protest in the style of our founding fathers.”
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By
wayan on June 27th, 2007
From MoCo Gazette:
“It was a beautiful afternoon in downtown Silver Spring and Chip Py wanted to capture the images he saw on film while testing a new filter he had bought for his camera.
The Silver Spring resident stood on Ellsworth Drive and took a few pictures, but was approached almost immediately by a security officer who told him photography was not allowed.
Unconvinced, since he knew photography was allowed in public places, Py said he went to talk to the Peterson Co. management office, which oversees the development on Ellsworth Drive, including Silver Plaza.
‘‘On a public street, I can take pictures of anything I want,” Py said. ‘‘But I was told it wasn’t a public street.”
Py, 43, said he was told by management that the no-photography policy protects the company from people who might want to say or write negative things. In addition, many of the chain stores do not want their concepts to be photographed. There was also concern that Py might sell his photographs.”
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By
Chip Py on June 27th, 2007
I am a longtime resident of Silver Spring. Back in the mid nineties through my involvement with the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce and what was then called the Silver Spring Urban District, I participated in many of the activities leading up to the development of the new Downtown Silver Spring.
I have many hobbies and one of them is Photography. One could describe the kind of pictures that I take as “Urban Landscape”. Through the popular photography website Flickr, I participate in a photography group known as “DC Neighborhoods” where we pick a neighborhood, photograph its character and ambiance, and then post it to this site to share with the group and others.
Last Tuesday, I went to downtown Silver Spring, had lunch, and then took out my camera and standing on Ellsworth Avenue, I began taking shots of the buildings with the blue sky and clouds as a backdrop. Almost immediately, a security guard approached and told me “there was no picture taking allowed in Downtown Silver Spring.” What do you mean” I said, “I am on a city street, in a public place, taking pictures is a right that I have protected by the first amendment.” The guard told me to report to the management office.
There, Stacy Horan informed me that Downtown Silver Spring including Ellsworth Avenue is private property, not a public place, and subject to the rules of the Peterson Companies. They have a no photography policy to “Protect them from people who might want to use the photographs as part of a story in which they could write bad things about us.”
And she told me that many of the chain stores in Downtown Silver Spring don’t what their “concepts” to be photographed for security reasons. There was also a concern that I might sell my photographs and that is not allowed. I told her that I was well aware of my rights to take pictures on public property, any pictures that I take I have a right to sell, and questioned how they could have a policy that limits our individual rights when Downtown Silver Spring was built with public money.
I found out later that it is true Ellsworth Avenue was turned over to Peterson Companies through the process of condemnation. So now I’m wondering: If this is a $1.2 billion public/private investment as stated in Tuesday’s New York Times article about the downtown renaissance, where do the public’s rights end and the private corporations policies takeover??
In discussing this with fellow Silver Spring residents I have been told that we are not allowed to campaign, petition or protest in Downtown Silver Spring. These are basic American values, true to our beliefs, and in the Downtown Silver Spring they are banned?? In this age of eroding individual rights should the people of Silver Spring accept this??
It is my understanding that the county continues to spend public funds promoting Downtown Silver Spring and I wouldn’t discourage this, but I think that the county should have a conversation with the Peterson Companies about their policies in regards to these basic American values and freedoms.
I don’t think that the people of this county are willing to trade their rights of free speech or the right to petition assemble and protest in their own downtown for a Starbucks or a Potbelly’s.
Posted in Why I Participate | 2 Comments »
By
katmere on June 27th, 2007
I created DC Photo Rights in response to the numerous instances of harassment local area photographers have cited. I am an amateur photographer who has been shooting for about two years. I have found the DC amateur photographer society, especially through Flickr, to be a very supportive atmosphere. The metropolitan area itself, however, seems to pose a constant challenge, especially to beginners.
The specific impetuous was a photographer, Chip Py, who was harassed for taking photos from the street in Downtown Silver Spring, MD. This struck a chord with me. I live and work in Silver Spring, and I have been a supporter of the development projects in the downtown area. These projects have faced some resistance, and I was saddened to hear that the downtown area that I often defend is associated with this sort of behavior.
I am specifically interested, also, in the role that security guards at Federal Buildings play in this. Many incorrectly inform photographers that photos are illegal. While this is prevalent with security guards everywhere, I find it more disturbing when Federal security guard do this; many people regard their claims of protecting national security interests more seriously. And of course, in a few cases, photos of Federal buildings are not allowed. So this often leave photographers, amateurs especially, on uncertain grounds where they easily become victims of harassment.
Posted in Why I Participate | 2 Comments »
By
cweaver on June 26th, 2007
The rights of photographers are slowly being eroded, bit by bit. To use an old simile, it’s like flies eating a racehorse. Sure, the flies only take a nibble here and there but if the horse didn’t have that giant tail to shoo them off with, they could very well eat him up.
It’s the same thing with our rights. Little by little, we are being more and more restricted in how we can express ourselves and what we can record with our cameras. Some people are saying this particular issue isn’t a big one and are questioning whether we want to fight this battle.
Wars are won and lost on the battlefield. If we do nothing to support rights guaranteed to us by the Constitution and the Supreme Court, we may as well not have those rights. The freedoms we have are not granted to us by the government; they simply have not yet been taken away. They are the DMZ and up for grab if we don’t stand up to fight for them.
July 4th is the perfect day to come out in a show of unity and stand together to celebrate the right to photograph in public. If we don’t do this now, we will be fighting something else more drastic later on.
Posted in Why I Participate | No Comments »
By
tbridge on June 26th, 2007
I’m not a protestor by nature. I don’t carry signs. I don’t chant catchy slogans. I don’t give up sleep to protest on the steps of the Supreme Court or at City Hall. Most of that just passes me by. But I’ll be there on the Fourth of July to exercise my right to photography in a public place. Why? What’s so different this time? That’s a good question.
As part of a program in Science and Technology Studies, I got to read Martin Heidegger last summer. He’s a bit of a bore, and the people who did his translation pretty much suck at writing, but he has this basic important concept called dasein, or “Being-in-the-world.” Heidegger argues that human beings cannot be viewed except through the context that they share. Capturing that context, that essential viewpoint by way of photography becomes part of Being in the World.
It’s an expression of self and viewpoint that should not be obstructed in the commons that are owned by the Government.Clearly there are lines of demarcation that exist to protect Secret from Public, but in this case, there’s no reason for Ellsworth Drive to be a point for harassment. Thus, I will be out with my 10D and my 50mm prime lens to snap some shots of the buildings at Ellsworth Drive. Come help contextualize the world with me.
Posted in Why I Participate | No Comments »
By
Don on June 26th, 2007
There’s a number of things that get together to make this a big issue for me, though I think any one of them would do.
Top of the list has to be my concerns about public-private partnerships. When an organization enters into a deal with the government I think it’s easy for them to forget who their customer really is. It’s not whoever happens to be the politician in charge that day, it’s the citizenry whose land they’re using and money they’re spending. When a group like Peterson gets the use of some prime land for one dollar a year I feel pretty cheated when they try to limit my rights on that property. Someone who pays so little to use the public’s property is for all intents and purposes a guest, and they should treat us with the same respect we would expect from any guest in our home.
Posted in Why I Participate | No Comments »
By
wayan on June 26th, 2007
From the Silver Spring Penguin:
“Is the Downtown Silver Spring shopping center public or private space?
Local shutterbug Chip Py was snapping pics along Ellsworth Drive recently when security guards asked him to stop. It turns out Ellsworth Drive and the entire Downtown Silver Spring shopping district is leased to a private company, which deems photography a no-no”
Posted in Press & Media | No Comments »
By
wayan on June 25th, 2007
Back in 1997, I was arrested for photography in Moscow. While you might expect that in Russia, we live in a country founded on freedoms of expression, one of which the Supreme Court has now enshrined as photography.
Unrestricted photography by private citizens has played an integral role in protecting the freedom, security, and well-being of all Americans by contributing to improvements in civil rights, labor practices, and police activity.
Yet American photographers are being stopped, harassed, and even intimidated when expressing their freedom to photograph under the guise of “security” and misguided fears about terrorism. Even when the proliferation of digital camera and camera phones are actually preventing crimes, catching criminals, and generally preserving public order.
I was recently harassed for taking photographs on a public street in Washington DC, and have often be questioned when photographing WMATA.
And now a private company who took over a public street in Silver Spring, a DC suburb, has banned photography and hassled a photographer who tried to take photos.
To me that is one step too far. One photographer harassment too much. And its time for a show of rights. Its time to join Metroblogging DC in a declaration of photographic freedom, a Silver Spring Photo Outing to remind Washingtonians that photography is NOT a crime.
Posted in Why I Participate | No Comments »
By
wayan on June 25th, 2007
Free Our Streets researcher Adam P has looked into the background on Ellsworth Drive and PFA Silver Spring LC, a development partnership including the Peterson Companies, Foulger Pratt and Argo Investment.
Here’s the results of our research on the status of Ellsworth Drive between Georgia and Fenton.
Ellsworth Drive is separated into two pieces, both of which are owned by Montgomery County. The eastern segment starts at Fenton, proceeds west and terminates at the edge of City Place Mall.
This segment is indistinguishable from Fenton Street and the portion of Ellsworth to the east of the intersection. It is a county-owned, county-controlled road.
The western segment, which stretches between the City Place edge and Georgia, is also owned by the county but is leased to PFA Silver Spring LC, a development partnership including the Peterson Companies, Foulger Pratt and Argo Investment. The parcel is designated as Map JN33, Parcel N315, district 13, account number 03279403, plat 21283. In 1998, the county agreed to “abandon” this portion of Ellsworth, meaning it would no longer be traditionally used as a county road. The abandonment was subject to county council resolution 13-1429, which stated as a condition for the abandonment: “The granting of an easement for public access on Ellsworth Drive pursuant to the General Development Agreement.”
The General Development Agreement states the following in Section 14:
“The County agrees to seek County Council approval of the abandonment of Interior Ellsworth Drive. Upon execution of Ground Leases for both Sections B and C of the Project, the County shall enter into an unsubordinated Ground Lease for a ninety-nine year term with Developer or an association formed by Developer for Interior Ellsworth Drive. The Ground Lease for Interior Ellsworth Drive shall be terminated upon a termination due to default under the Ground Lease for either Section B or C and shall not be subordinated to Developer’s Construction Financing or Permanent Financing. Devevloper shall not have an option to purchase Interior Ellsworth Drive. The Ground Lease shall be triple net at nominal rent of One Dollar ($1.00) per year and other than the cost of the initial design, development and construction thereof pursuant to a Public Improvement Contract, the Developer shall assume all cost, liability, maintenance (ordinary and capital), security, and other responsibilities incidental to ownership of and associated with Interior Ellsworth Drive. The Ground Lease shall provide that Interior Ellsworth Drive shall be used for vehicular and pedestrian traffic with an easement across it for public access to the Silver Circle Garage and access from Georgia Avenue to Fenton Street and that Interior Ellsworth Drive shall be closed up to four (4) times per year (on dates and at times to be reasonably agreed to by the Developer) to allow the County to conduct public festivals coordinated through the Silver Spring Urban District Corporation (or the County if the Silver Spring Urban District Corporation is not formed). No changes to the alignment or construction of Interior Ellsworth Drive may be made without the county’s consent. No more than a to be agreed upon number of parking spaces may be created on Interior Ellsworth Drive.”
So the GDA makes the developer responsible for security, but ensures “an easement across it for public access.” The GDA also refers to a separate Declaration of Easements in Section 13. Item 6 in that declaration states:
“6. Public Use Easements
Declarant [county] hereby establishes and grants for the use and benefit of the general public, those certain easements and rights (collectively the “Public Use Easements”) more particularly described below. Pursuant to the plans for the Downtown Silver Spring Project as approved by the applicable governmental authorities, the Public Use Easements have been designated and shall be deemed for all purposes of this Declaration to constitute Public Use Space as such term is defined in Section 59-A-2.1 of the Zoning Ordinance of Montgomery County, as the same may be amended from time to time. The Public Use Easements are described and depicted on Exhibit H attached to and made a part of this Declaration and shall consist of the following…
(iii) a perpetual non-exclusive easement and right of passage and use, free of charge, for vehicular and pedestrian ingress and egress on, over and across Ellsworth Drive…”
Section 59-A-2.1 of the county’s zoning ordinance defines public use space as: “Space required by the sector plan and other space devoted to such uses as space for public enjoyment consisting of such things as, but not limited to, green areas, gardens, malls, plazas, walks, pathways, promenades, arcades, lawns, fountains, decorative plantings, passive or active recreational areas. Such space may also consist of space and/or amenities recommended by an approved urban renewal plan. Such space shall not include parking or maneuvering areas for vehicles. Area devoted to this purpose shall be easily and readily accessible to the public without restrictions to particular segments of the public. In areas where pedestrian walkways are shown on an approved and adopted master plan or sector plan, such area within the percentage required for public space as is necessary shall be devoted to the provision of pedestrian walkways or paths for general public use.”
However, Exhibit G of the Ground Lease states: “Subject to the terms of the Declaration [of Easements] and the terms of this Lease, Tenant [developer] shall have the sole and exclusive right to manage and program the uses of the Project and to impose and enforce such reasonable rules and regulations as Tenant deems necessary to maintain order and to promote the safety, security and economic success of the Downtown Silver Spring Project.”
So both the General Development Agreement and the Declaration of Easements provide protections for the public, defined as public “access” in the GDA and “right of passage and use” in the Declaration. The Declaration even goes so far as to designate the area as “Public Use Space.” However, these rights are not absolute as Peterson has broad management authority so long as its rules are “reasonable.”
Posted in Ellsworth Drive | 4 Comments »
By
wayan on June 25th, 2007
From On The Commons:
“Amateur photographer Chip Py was wandering around the newly developed downtown section of Silver Spring when he decided to snap a few pictures. He thought the building rooftops set against the blue sky made for a handsome image. A security guard promptly rushed out to tell him that he was not allowed to take pictures; the Peterson Companies, the developer of Ellsworth Street, prohibited it.
Welcome to the latest enclosure of the commons: privately controlled public streets. Even if streets may be nominally public, companies have few qualms about claiming them as private and bullying people into forfeiting their rights as citizens.”
Posted in Press & Media | No Comments »
By
wayan on June 25th, 2007
From Silver Spring Scene:
“I think this issue deserves ongoing attention. I’m still mystified by the fact that Peterson Companies (which I guess includes Foulger Pratt and Argo Investment since they have a share in the project) are actually keeping people from taking pictures.
As posted on the Silver Spring Singular, Peterson Cos argues that they don’t want bad publicity but I guess their out of luck as the news has hit the local TV stations.”
Posted in Press & Media | No Comments »
By
wayan on June 22nd, 2007
From Now Public:
“You’re going to want to read the following two paragraphs twice because you’re not going to believe them.
‘This past Tuesday I went to downtown Silver Spring, had lunch, and then took out my camera and standing on Ellsworth [Drive], I began taking shots of the buildings with the blue sky and clouds as a backdrop. Almost immediately, a security guard approached and told me ‘there was no picture taking allowed in Downtown Silver Spring.’ ‘What do you mean?’ I said, ‘I am on a city street, in a public place — taking pictures is a right that I have protected by the first amendment.’ The guard told me to report to the management office’.”
Posted in Press & Media | No Comments »
By
wayan on June 22nd, 2007
From Boing Boing:
“Jordan says: Security guards in a Silver Springs business district are enforcing a “no photography” policy, under the false claim that the street in question is private property. The Peterson Company, which manages the buildings on this DC-area street, claims the right to protect their brand.”
Posted in Press & Media | No Comments »
By
wayan on June 21st, 2007
Video on Fox News.
Posted in Press & Media | No Comments »
By
wayan on June 21st, 2007
From Metroblogging DC
“The Washington Post’s Mark Fisher has a column today about an incident between local shutterbug Chip Py and some Silver Spring security guards. Chip talks in his own words about the incident here and describes an interaction with the developer that is annoying, but not too surprising. BoingBoing runs stories all the time about photogs harassed by ignorant and/or arrogant security guards and the reason sites like Freedom to Photograph exist is in no small part because of these kinds of events.”
Posted in Press & Media | No Comments »
By
wayan on June 21st, 2007
From Marc Fisher, Washington Post:
“In just seven years, the new downtown Silver Spring has become a bustling restaurant scene, a business center and a public gathering spot popular with all ages. Except maybe we should reconsider the “public” part.
Chip Py, a longtime resident of Silver Spring, recently returned to an old interest in photography. While wandering through downtown after eating lunch there last week, he took out his camera and started to take shots of the contrast between the tops of the office buildings and the sparkling blue sky.
Within seconds, a private security guard was at Py’s side, informing him that picture-taking is not permitted, no explanation given.”
Posted in Press & Media | 1 Comment »
By
wayan on June 19th, 2007
From The New MoCo Progressive:
“This past Tuesday, I went to downtown Silver Spring, had lunch, and then took out my camera and standing on Ellsworth Avenue, I began taking shots of the buildings with the blue sky and clouds as a backdrop. Almost immediately, a security guard approached and told me “there was no picture taking allowed in Downtown Silver Spring.” “What do you mean”, I said, “I am on a city street, in a public place, taking pictures is a right that I have protected by the first amendment.” The guard told me to report to the management office.”
Posted in Press & Media | No Comments »
By
wayan on June 14th, 2007
From the Silver Spring, Singular:
“It appears as if Downtown Silver Spring has become one of the increasing number of places in America where photography is banned. According to this photographer, The Peterson Companies, developer and manager of DTSS, has decided that taking photographs is a no-no.”
Posted in Press & Media | No Comments »
