EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – 22.08.10. Around 200 environmental activists in white boiler suits and masks breach police lines at the Royal Bank of Scotland’s headquarters on Sunday 22 August 2010 in Gogarburn. Protesters smashed five large windows with hammers. Police made two arrests (Photo by Marc Vallée/marcvallee.co.uk) (c) Marc Vallée, 2010. All rights reserved.

“Climate Camp is restricting free speech” – Marc Vallée, The Guardian.

I’ve written an article for Environment section of The Guardian on Climate Camp and the media.

BOLTON, UNITED KINGDOM – 20.03.10. Far right nationalist campaigners congregate in Bolton on Saturday 10 March 2010 in Lancashire, England. The English Defence League protested in Victoria Square as shops and pubs across the town closed for the day. Police in full riot gear used the controversial tactic of ‘kettling’ along with dogs, horses and riot police snatch squads to control a counter demonstration organised by Unite Against Fascism (UAF). Police made dozens of arrests, including UAF organiser Weyman Bennett. (Photo by Marc Vallée/marcvallee.co.uk) (c) Marc Vallée, 2010.

“NUJ joins the calls to stop the EDL” – National Union of Journalists.

On Tuesday the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) issued a media release on its position on the planned demonstration in Bradford later this month called by the far-right English Defence League (EDL).

I was quoted in the release on the attacks on photographers and journalists who have documented EDL protests across the country.

The NUJ opened the statement with,

“The NUJ believes allowing the English Defence League (EDL) to march through Bradford runs a serious risk that local communities will be attacked, threatened and subjected to racist abuse and supports calls on the Home Secretary not to allow the demonstration to go ahead.”

It is a mistake for the NUJ to call on the the Home Secretary to ban this demonstration. I believe it is a dangerous and counterproductive move for a freedom of expression organisation like the NUJ to call on the state to ban a demonstration.

Trade unions should be campaigning against draconian laws that ban political dissent. Not calling on a Tory Home Secretary to use them and effect giving such laws legitimacy.

These laws are more likely to be used against the labour and trade union movement and other progressive groups – especially in a period austerity.

The way to combat the EDL is to fight the social, economic and political conditions that give rise to them. For trade union members to support and join counter protests and for journalists to expose the true nature and character of such groups.

Update (21.08.10): Here is the Home Office letter to Bradford Council on the use of Section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 that bans all demonstrations – both the EDL and UAF -in Bradford from Saturday 28 August to Monday 30 August 2010.

“From budget cuts to riots in the street: How will Britain react to government spending cuts?” – frontlineclub.com

“Coalition has no interest in protecting the right to strike” – Marc Vallée, The Guardian.

Just to let you know next week I will be back at the Frontline Club to take part in this event along with Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS:

“After the recession, now come the cuts. The UK is facing some of the most stringent public sector budget cuts since the Second World War. The Tory-Liberal coalition says budget slashing is inevitable, but already public service unions are threatening strike action that could cripple the country and threaten a fragile post-recession recovery.

“Join us at the Frontline Club with an expert panel to investigate if seeds for civil unrest are being sowed that might happen in the months and years ahead.”

Update: This event has been postponed.

“Israeli troops attack photographers in West Bank” – Agence France-Presse.

Photojournalist Fil Kaler has just emailed me this footage from the West Bank.

“Two Palestinian photojournalists were injured by Israel Defense Forces troops on Saturday during a protest in the southern West Bank town of Bait Ummar near Hebron.

“17/07/10 Bait Ummar, Occupied Palestine.”

Poster.

“Victory Flashmob – Section 44 is Dead!” – londonphotographers.org

“Campaigners claim victory over Stop & Search ruling” – PhotographerNotaTerrorist.org

Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow. First round is on the Met!

Link.

“Journalists win payout after police admit failing to respect press freedom” – Paul Lewis, The Guardian.

“The Met’s apology to journalists is only of value if it acts upon it” – Olly Zanetti, The Guardian.

“Photographers win damages in Met Police legal case” – British Journal of Photography.

“Photographers win human rights victory over police” – Amateur Photographer.

“Police pay damages and apologise to photojournalists” – Press Gazette.

Here is the press round for the Greek Embassy case. Right, now back to work.

“The Met’s apology to journalists is only of value if it acts upon it” – The Guardian.

Olly Zanetti‘s excellent Comment is free in the Guardian on the Greek Embassy win.

Link to PDF.

“Victory for NUJ members, human rights and press freedom” – nuj.org.uk

“Police pay damages to journalists for breaching their right to report” – bindmans.com

“A Victory for Press Freedom” – londonphotographers.org

Jason Parkinson and I have won our Greek Embassy case against the Metropolitan Police. This is a significant victory for press freedom.

Here is the police apology in full:

“On 8 December 2008 well-respected political journalists Marc Vallée and Jason Parkinson were reporting a protest outside the Greek Embassy, Holland Park, London. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has accepted liability for breach of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The MPS apologise for this and have paid compensation. The MPS confirms its recognition that freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy and that journalists have a right to report freely. The MPS recognise that on 8 December 2008 they failed to respect press freedom in respect of Mr Vallée and Mr Parkinson.”

Click here for the full NUJ press release.

Past blog posts:

“Journalists launch civil action against police” – marcvallee.co.uk/blog

“Police to investigate Greek embassy incident” – marcvallee.co.uk/blog

“Video: Journalists obstructed at Greek Embassy protest” – marcvallee.co.uk/blog

“Can I have my lens hood back officer?” – marcvallee.co.uk/blog

EDMOND TERAKOPIAN tries out the new Leica M9. September 17, 2009. Photo: Antje Bormann.

“Convergence – Should we adapt and how?” – londonphotographers.org

This months London Photographers’ Branch meeting will feature a panel discussion on media convergence, with photographer and branch member Edmond Terakopian and film editor Simon Ruben.

Click here to find out more.

EDMOND TERAKOPIAN and a RED One camera with a Rode NTG-2 mic in a setup to shoot in Ealing Common. June 12, 2010. Photo: Antje Bormann

“Branch Secretary Stepping Down” – londonphotographers.org

I’m stepping down as Secretary of the London Photographers’ Branch to prioritise my work as branch Legal Rep. Below is the text of an email I sent to Branch Committee members on 3rd June 2010:

“I have decided to resign as Branch Secretary.

“I will not step down as Secretary until the Branch has elected a new Secretary and I hope that will take place at the June Branch meeting.”