By Carlos Miller
A group of Los Angeles photographers made good on their promise to return to the foot of U.S. Bank and protest the ongoing harassment against photographers.
The video, which shows an almost ten-minute debate between photographers and security guards underneath the tallest building in Los Angeles, was shot by Hal Bergman and edited by Discarted, who also operates a website on photographers’ rights.
As we began photographing the US Bank Tower at 633 W. 5th Street, managed by Maguire Properties, we were approached almost immediately by a United Protective Services (UPS) security guard, and soon there were six (6!). We were told they would call the police and we would be arrested, that no pictures were allowed from their “private sidewalk,” that they actually owned the sidewalk, and that we were idiots and jerks who should quit asking questions.
More photos from the protest can be found on Bryan Villarin’s site. The entire conversation was also recorded and posted on Youtube as audio. Here is an excerpt:
US BANK SECURITY GUARD: Excuse me sir, you’re not allowed to take any pictures.
NOHO DAMON: We’re both on a public sidewalk here.
US BANK SECURITY GUARD: No actually this sidewalk is private.
NOHO DAMON: No, no, no, no…(inaudible)
US BANK SECURITY GUARD: No.
NOHO DAMON: This is a public sidewalk.
US BANK SECURITY GUARD: Right…no.
NOHO DAMON: You guys own the street?
US BANK SECURITY GUARD: That’s the public, this is private.
NOHO DAMON: You’re telling me you own the street, you’re telling me you own the sidewalk.
US BANK SECURITY GUARD: Yes sir.
NOHO DAMON: You’re telling me that.
US BANK SECURITY GUARD: Yes.
NOHO DAMON: Would you be willing to discuss that with a cop?
US BANK SECURITY GUARD: Yes.
NOHO DAMON: That you own the sidewalk?
US BANK SECURITY GUARD: Yes.
Sounds of photos being taken.
US BANK SECURITY GUARD: Excuse me sir, you will be arrested
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7 responses so far ↓
1 HLW // Jan 22, 2009 at 12:55 PM
This type of documentation needs to occur more often.
Carlos- What’s the deadline on your appeal?
HLW
2 Carlos Miller // Jan 22, 2009 at 1:03 PM
HLW,
The State has until Feb. 17th to respond to my appeal brief.
And then I will have 20 days to respond to the State’s response.
And then it goes before a three-panel judge.
I wrote the update here.
http://carlosmiller.com/2009/01/13/state-attorney-receives-45-day-extension-to-respond-to-my-appeal/
3 Dina // Jan 23, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Using Sept. 11th is the worst excuse for violating someones rights. Why not just use Pearl Harbor or Kent State?
(For the most part) They are lackies that don’t care what the law is, they just want to exert their perceived strength. There is a reason some people are drawn to this type of work, and it’s not to make the world a better safer place.
4 Bueller // Jan 24, 2009 at 2:26 AM
I wish I was there to participate in this demonstration. As photographers we rise and fall together.
5 Kilroy238 // Feb 5, 2009 at 1:17 PM
So how do I go about buying my own sidewalk? That is pretty cool.
6 Carlos Miller // Feb 5, 2009 at 1:19 PM
First you need to make sure the government will bail you out when you go into debt.
7 US Bank hires crooks // Mar 6, 2009 at 4:22 AM
You couldn’t have picked a better bank to protest. I am a victim of US Bank’s thievery. A quick Google search will reveal countless complaints about US Bank’s unethical and sleazy practices. Even though our problems with US Bank differ I just wanted to commend the photographers for standing up to this horrible bank. Hopefully one day the account holders that have been victimized by US Bank will stand up and organize a larger and more unruly protest.
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