BRIGHTON, UNITED KINGDOM – 30.08.10. A police evidence bag with film shot by local man Glenn Williams of an anti-fascist protest. The film cassette was seized by police on the street under Section 19 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 on Monday 30 August 2010 Brighton, England. Early in the day police clashed with around 200 anti-fascist campaigners as around 40 far-right nationalist protesters congregated under heavy police protection. Police used dogs and horses to clear anti-fascist protesters blocking streets in Brighton to stop the far right march. (Photo by Marc Vallée/marcvallee.co.uk) (c) Marc Vallée, 2010. All rights reserved.

Link: Click here to view more pictures.

Audio: Police seize protesters film

On Monday I covered a protest in Brighton. I saw the police seize an anti-fascist protesters film cassette. The police used Section 19 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984. What I found out is of great concern for photographers, journalists, media activists and especially New York fund managers.

Below is part of Section 19 of PACE:

(3) The constable may seize anything which is on the premises if he has reasonable grounds for believing —

(b) that it is necessary to seize it in order to prevent the evidence being concealed, lost, altered or destroyed.

So is it lawful for the police to seize media content from a member of the public on the street? It all comes down to the PACE definition of premises.

You can find that definition in Section 23.

The definition includes two very chilling words, “any place”.

I asked human rights lawyer Anna Mazzola from Hickman & Rose for her view on the use of Section 19 in a public order context.

“This episode reveals a worrying policy. Sussex police clearly think that Section 19 entitles them to remove film and footage from people where they suspect they have evidence of a crime and they can say that they have reason to believe the person may destroy that evidence. That is disturbing news for journalists and amateur photographers, particularly those covering public order events. While the police obviously have a duty to prevent and detect crime, they also have to provide some assurance that they will not use Section 19 to seize journalistic material.”

BRIGHTON, UNITED KINGDOM – 30.08.10. Police clash with around 200 anti-fascist campaigners as around 40 far-right nationalist protesters congregate under heavy police protection on Monday 30 August 2010 Brighton, England. Police used dogs and horses to clear anti-fascist protesters blocking streets in Brighton to stop the far right march. (Photos by Marc Vallée/marcvallee.co.uk) (c) Marc Vallée, 2010. All rights reserved.

Link: Click here to view more pictures.

Clients: Pictures are available for rights managed editorial licensing. High resolution images are available on request.

“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.

“Freedom and Photography” – festivalofpolitics.org.uk

I’m one of the speakers at the Festival of Politics & World Press Photo ‘Freedom and Photography’ event next month at the Scottish Parliament.

The event will be chaired by Stephen Mayes, Secretary to the World Press Photo Jury and Managing Director of VII Photo Agency.

“Join a panel of professional photographers and experts as they discuss arguably one of the most important issues faced today by both professional and amateur photographers alike, where freedom to photograph in public ends and where privacy and restriction begins. The panel includes photographer Marc Vallée; Damien Demolder, Editor of Amateur Photographer magazine; Media Lawyer Campbell Deane; and Linda Macpherson of the UK Photographers Rights Guide; they will explore this contentious area, trying to make sense of what many feel are legal ambiguities surrounding public photography.”

“Ian Tomlinson ruling: can we trust officers to police protests fairly now?” – Marc Vallée, The Guardian.

Here is a Comment is free for Liberty Central by yours truly on the CPS decision not to bring criminal charges against a highly trained Metropolitan police territorial support group officer who struck Ian Tomlinson at the G20 protests last year.

“The Media Show” – BBC Radio 4.

I was a guest on BBC Radio 4′s Media Show today which is hosted by Steve Hewlett.

“Earlier this month the government said police would need stronger grounds before stopping and searching photographers on suspicion of terrorism. While welcoming this repeal of s44 of the Terrorism Act, photographer Marc Vallée says he still has concerns about police conduct, which he puts to ACPO’s spokesman on this, Craig Mackey, Cumbria’s Chief Constable.”

You can also download a podcast of the show from here.

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.

BOLTON, UNITED KINGDOM – 20.03.10. An anti-fascist campaigner is arrested as the far right English Defence League congregate in Bolton on Saturday 10 March 2010 in Lancashire, England. Police in full riot gear used the controversial tactic of ‘kettling’ along with dogs, horses and riot police snatch squads to control the demonstration organised by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) in Victoria Square. Police made dozens of arrests, including UAF organiser Weyman Bennett. (Photo by Marc Vallée/marcvallee.co.uk) (c) Marc Vallée, 2010.

Link: Click here to view more pictures.

Clients: Pictures are available for rights managed editorial licensing. High resolution images are available on request.

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.