Picture New York

This photo is from the demonstration in Union Square on Friday, July 27, which was sponsored by Picture New York, accompanied by the Rude Mechanical Orchestra, Critical Mass bike riders and Rev Billy and his Stop Shopping Gospel Choir. Click here for a photo of a demonstrator that was brandishing quite the T-Shirt. As I wrote in the posting on Reverend Billy (click here), there is pending legislation proposed by the Mayor’s Office of Theater, Film, and Broadcasting that would require a permit for photography and videography in New York city. Permits and $1 million in liability insurance would be needed for a group of two or more people who want to use a camera in a single public location for more than 30 minutes as well as a group of five or more people who would be using a tripod for more than ten minutes. According to a new York Times article, although officials have indicated that the rules are not intended to apply to amateurs or tourists, there is nothing in the proposed ruling that specifically exempts them. The fear is that this could lead to discriminatory enforcement. Many demonstrators were brandishing cardboard props modeled after a 16-millimeter Bolex camera - click here for photo. And in an interesting sidebar, this guy was arrested for riding his bike on the flag - click here. NOTE: The city is accepting public feedback until August 3 ...