NYPD cop orders man to delete image after photographing Muslim

January 28, 2010 @ 1:47AM

NYPD cop orders man to delete image after photographing Muslim

By Carlos Miller -...

In one of the most absurd incidents of the new year, a photographer in New York City is ordered to delete his images because he had photographed an open ATM as well as a Muslim.

Muslims have apparently gone from being scapegoat victims of racial profiling to protected denizens immune from our First Amendment rights to photograph them.

The photographer who goes by Lucky Dog on Flickr says he was walking down the street when he came upon an open ATM being serviced by two men.

If that scenario sounds familiar, it’s because last year, a Seattle man was arrested after photographing an open ATM inside a department store. That guy was banned from inside the store for a year.

I guess the Seattle man is lucky he didn’t photograph a Muslim in the process.

Lucky Dog wasn’t so lucky.

One of the ATM tech guys informed Lucky Dog that he was a Muslim, so therefore, he was not allowed to photograph him.

Lucky Dog ended up getting assaulted by the Muslim’s partner, who held and pushed him before he was able to run across the street. Lucky Dog said he tried to enter a hotel but a doorman blocked his entrance.

When police arrived on the scene, Lucky Dog intended to file a complaint of assault against the ATM technician.

But the cops turned against Lucky Dog by informing him there is a “policy” against taking photos of ATMs.

The cop also chided him for photographing the Muslim as it went against his religion.

To make the story even more absurd, Lucky Dog tried to explain that he didn’t know the man was a Muslim, which is like acknowledging that he did something wrong.

The cops didn’t seem to care that Lucky Dog had been assaulted by one of the ATM techs.

In fact, an Officer Pryce from the Seventh Precinct ordered him to delete his images or get arrested for assault.

The cop even threatened Lucky Dog with a hate crime because he photographed a Muslim (I actually made that part up, but the rest is true. What the fuck?).

Here it is straight from Lucky Dog’s Flickr post, which I’m not even going to bother editing for clarity and punctuation because I’m disgusted by the whole thing.

I get the muslim man over here and tell him that I did not know he was muslim and that under the threat of arrest i will delete the photos of him. the muslim tells the police to scroll the pictures 2 up and 2 down to make sure the photos are all gone saying he felt I was being dishonest. [I hold back a comment regarding muslims, dishonesty, and osama] and scroll through the camera so he is satisfied.

I ask the police if they know about the policy regarding street photography, pryce seemed to nod his head in assent. I also tell him that I did not know he was muslim, that was after the fact, and that taking a photo of his face was unintentional, he just happened to turn his face to the camera at the wrong moment.

Just in case there is any confusion, there is no crime against photographing an open ATM machine if you can see it from a public street. And even if you are inside a store, the worst they can do to you is ask you to leave or be arrested for trespassing.

Contrary to what the NYPD cop said, there is no “policy” against photographing ATMs nor a law against photographing Muslims for that matter.

They can’t arrest you for taking the photo. They can’t assault you for taking the photo. And they sure as hell can’t order you to delete the photo. And that includes you, Officer Pryce.

Via War on Photography.

Comments

Anonymous

2 years ago

The UK is doing something similar. They are putting laws that ban certain types of “hate speech” to protect the citizens.

All for protection right? Just give up your human rights and let the government protect you, they know best since we’re just children after all.

Anonymous

2 years ago

I wonder what kind of genre I should write the song “Makin’ it Up As We Go Along” in. Should it be a scootin’ country tune, maybe hard-driving gangsta rap or even a ballad? We’ll order all LE to play it whenever they decide to…

ARGH.

Anonymous

2 years ago

Well, Hazy… the UK is also funding civilian UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) squads to “protect” their citizens.

When are cops going to learn…public= no privacy. This merry-go-round is starting to get old.
Another great article Carlos.
mepsipax´s last blog ..Ifuck

Anonymous

2 years ago

“The cop also chided him for photographing the Muslim as it went against his religion.”

That’s a load of complete B.S. There isn’t any rule against photography in Islam.

Anonymous

2 years ago

This seems to be getting all too common. Completely absurd!
Tim Solley´s last blog ..Sublime Light Now Available on Your Phone

Anonymous

2 years ago

So the clearly identified police officer has been arrested on Federal charges of “violating civil rights under color of law,” right? Right? *sigh*

Anonymous

2 years ago

The thing that makes me so angry about this article is the perversion of ethics and morals. They are attempting to confuse the 1st amendment by mixing it with “religious values” to make people seem racist when it’s a non-issue.

And yeah, the Quran doesn’t speak about a camera stealing a Muslim’s soul. This guy was just using his religion to make a situation. Despicable.

Anonymous

2 years ago

Perhaps such a rule can somehow be found if the person being photographed is a jihadi on an unfulfilled mission from Allah, or an undercover police officer on any assignment…

Anonymous

2 years ago

Somebody in the original link suggested he undelete the images. He didn’t respond to that suggestion and I think he is scared. His whole reply is wrought full of fear. It wouldn’t be the first time the gestapo shows up days later to make an arrest. Really, I can understand his fears. There is a very large price to freedom and most Americans have a mortgage, children (remember the CPS molesters), and a job they will be fired from. All these and more await those who exercise their rights in “the land of the free”.

Anonymous

2 years ago

lucky he didnt throw a bucket of money at him!

Anonymous

2 years ago

Theywantyoufired, the CPS angle is an important one. It’s often overlooked unless there is personal experience.

There is no more efficient way to make a person obedient than threatening his or her children. That’s why it’s so effective.

Personally, I’ve become more of an activist the older my children get.

Anonymous

2 years ago

Cameras can steal your soul!

Anonymous

2 years ago

Dorothy, Alex Jones talks about the CPS stealing people’s kids quite often.

Anonymous

2 years ago

Hazy, the problem is worse than most people imagine. I go all over Georgia helping families who have been falsely accused. Hell, I’ve had CHILDREN who are detained in foster care call me asking for help to go home.

My circumstances were somewhat unusual as one my accusers was a juvenile court judge I was related to who did not approve that my husband is Hispanic. Each time I was accused, we won. My husband and I are (of course) still together, and are expecting a granddaughter in April.

I tried to start a support group for people like me and instead I got calls from people needing help. So that’s what I’ve done ever since.

I’ve always been a big proponent of taping, as one of my own experiences proved its value. You’d be surprised how many times playing a tape for the judge in court turns the tides.

Anonymous

2 years ago

Would like to hear your stories, does your blog talk about any specific instances?

Anonymous

2 years ago

Where the hell is JL standing up for the cop in this story? I need a good laugh today!
Workingindust´s last blog ..USAF MH-60A Blackhawk

Anonymous

2 years ago

The Hadith (examples from the life, teachings and actions of Muhammed) tend toward prohibiting making images of animals and people. There is nothing against having an image made of oneself. A Muslim may display images but they would keep angels away.

There is no punishment endorsed during the life of one that does make images of animals or people but it is noted that there will be sanctions in the afterlife. Interpretations of the hadith DO include computer generated and photographic images as well as painting drawing and sculpture

Shoot all the Muslims you like with a camera.

Who’da thunk a Religious Studies Background would be handy here.

Anonymous

2 years ago

I don’t blog enough. I need to do better. It’s hard to blog about the cases I take as an advocate – even if the family was okay with publicity, I won’t write about it if it could hurt them.

Anything in particular you’d like to know about? Maybe your suggestions could start my creative juices flowing….

Anonymous

2 years ago

That just makes me want to go downtown and photograph Muslims until they cry uncle.