Ombudsman reports on G20 police actions/powers

Ombudsman finds G20 regulation of 'dubious legality'. Citizens unfairly trapped by secret expansion of police powers. View the press relase an video announcement at this link

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Affordable Christmas stocking stuffers

The folks at ZAPRAG have their Canadian version ready for the Chirstmas market place. A great affodable stocking stuffer ($10) for the photographer buff on your list. They can use the ZAPRAG as a normal lens cleaning cloth and at the same time educate themselves and others as to Photographers Rights in Canada. Likewise the US version is specific to the US.

They also now have have a laminated version of the rights available on a lanyard - the ZAPCARD. There are different versions for Canada and the US. You can find out more at http://www.zaprag.com/ and view more photos of the lens cloth front/back.

When, where and what can I shoot?

Photographers rights: When, where and what can I shoot?
originally posted Web Design Blog – WebDesignShock

"Is the title clear enough for you? If you don’t ever want to end up like Rocky with your face all swollen because some security personnel decided you were a national threat, or you want to be completely sure that you can take that shot of your favorite celebrity pissing in the garden, this guide is meant to give you some clarity over what you can and can’t do with your camera."

read the entire piece - informative, entertaining, well done.

And, if you want something a bit more concise, durable and obviously not 'made up' by you and home and printed out, we recommend the ZAPRAGs lens cleaning cloth - see previous entry

Pushing the Envelope

On occasion, photographers should be harassed for taking photos! Sometimes there are actually rules, and as long as they are legal, one would expect you to respect them.

Happened on this site, open to those who like to 'push the envelope' as they say. It's a spot where you're encouraged to upload those photo's you shouldn't have taken!

"The site is for those interested in pushing the envelope and is intended to be fun and a bit risqué, not for the boring and ordinary! One thing that we don't want though is you breaking the law, deliberately trespassing or infringing someone else's rights."

Commercial Film and Photography in Parks Canada Western Arctic Field

Commercial Film and Photography Application Guidelines for Aulavik, Ivvavik and Tuktut Nogait National Parks - The Parks Canada Western Arctic Field Unit

Photo credit: Dreamstime/Anderson5CA

The national parks of Parks Canada’s Western Arctic Field Unit include Aulavik, Ivvavik and Tuktut Nogait National Parks. These parks span some of the most spectacular and ecologically significant areas of the western Arctic, offering a vast range of unparalleled film and photographic opportunities. In the interest of protecting the park’s resources while ensuring that visitor experiences and the rights of land claim beneficiaries are not affected, commercial filming and photographic activities are subject to certain restrictions and special considerations.

To carry out commercial filming or photography in the national parks of the western Arctic, an application must be submitted to Parks Canada a minimum of 4 months prior to activities. If approved, a Film/Photography Permit will be issued which outlines conditions and supplementary requirements associated with the production. The following information will assist in the preparation of a film/photography application.

Read more and access information on the application for permit process as well as the restrictions that apply.

The Decline of Photographers Rights

Will things in Canada come to this, or are they already on the slide?



Do you Know your rights in Canada as a photographer? Are you willing to stand up for them?

Know your rights and educate those that don't!

Photographers' Rights Rag

PRESS RELEASE - Vancouver, BC – 27 September 2010 – Released today – the first of the ZAPRAG line of educational products to help educate photographers and the public to the rights of photographers taking photos in public

The first in a series of products is the ZAPRAG lens cleaning cloth, a function high quality microfiber lens cleaning cloth imprinted with the photographers’ rights. ZAPRAG currently has Canadian and U.S. versions available, with the UK version almost complete. Versions for other countries are in production. Lawyers, in each respected country were consulted, to insure the information is correct and up-to-date. The cloth itself is not only an educational adjunct, always on hand when you’re out photographing, buts also a fully functional lens cleaning cloth – safe for lenses, eyeglasses, I-phones etc.

Complementing this line of products, ZAPRAG have also produced a series of laminated informational cards, ZAPCARDs, containing the photographers’ rights pertinent to each country. This double-sided card is laminated and comes with a ‘break-free’ lanyard.

Items will prove useful to photographers when they find themselves confronted by security guards, and other persons questioning their right to take photos in public. Items are available on the web at www.zaprag.com or from select photography retailers. Look for additional countries in the very near future.

Images: US http://ow.ly/i/47WU  Canada http://ow.ly/i/47WP

"Know your rights and educate those that don't."

Inquiries can be direct to:

ZAPRAG

Box 48808 Bentall Centre

Vancouver, BC  V7X 1A6

info@zaprag.com

www.twitter.com/ZAPRAG

Photographer Calls it Quits – Police Harassment Wins



Olympic Riots Break
Bay Windows
Photo: PacificEagle

 "A Canadian photographer has decided to hang up his camera with respect to certain types of photojournalism. As we have been saying here, repeated harassment by police is taking its toll, it is having a chilling effect on public photography. We will never know how many photographers are afraid to take their cameras out in public because not all blog about it." Read more about this decision

Regrettably authorities, or would be authorities, are making life miserable for photographers with the intention of making them give up their hobby or profession. What's happening to our freedoms!

Photographers need to know their rights and not be afraid to educate those that don't!

Police continue to hunt down G20 activists almost three months after the Summit

G8/G20 Communique: Police continue to hunt down G20 activists almost three months after the Summit

"Toronto activist, who declined to be named, said "This is a strategy, they are spreading out the arrests to increase fear and panic, it's so typical - but it won't work, it never works, it will only make us stronger."

"The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is demanding that the Toronto Police Service (TPS) to destroy the police records of many of the 1105 people arrested during the G20 Summit. In a letter dated September 8, 2010, the CCLA asks Chief Blair to expunge all G20-related police records of persons that were arrested and never charged, or who were charged, but have since had their charges withdrawn or dismissed."

"Sept 2nd- Juan-Pablo Lepore, documentary film-maker and independent journalist, arrested on G20-related charges in Montreal."

Colin O'Connor and Brett Grundlock were arrested in Toronto on Saturday evening of the G20, according to the National Post, the Canadian newspaper they work for. The men were reportedly charged with 'obstructing a peace officer and unlawful assembly after refusing police officers' requests to leave the area'.
Both were released on bail.
The CCLA is concerned that information about G20-related police contact may surface during police background checks that are regularly requested by some employers and volunteer agencies. This could unduly prejudice the future endeavours of individuals caught up in the mass arrests made during the G20 Summit."

[Read the original piece and timeline]

G20 Resistance Photo Round-up - Vancouver Media Co-op

From Andy K Bond 's piece on the G20 resistance,  these photos were taken at various rallies, marches, and events that took place throughout Toronto during the G8/20 convention. Over the course of the weekend he was arrested and released without charge, assaulted (by Police) once, and illegally searched and harassed on 8 separate occasions.

For more photos click here and view the Flikr files