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After the "I'm a photographer not a terrorist" protest outside New Scotland Yard ended I walked down to Westminster to eat my sarnies in Victoria Tower Gardens. As I walked back up Victoria Street towards The Yard I became aware that another demonstration was taking place and heading towards me. Great! Another chance to test the new law about photographing the police......
My first clear view of the approaching demo. I crouched to get a better perspective at 14mm. The police officer on the left clearly noticed my presence, maybe because I was still wearing my "I'm a photographer not a terrorist" sticker.
The police are clearly used to managing this type of event and marshalled the march firmly but sympathetically. It is an extremely busy road and they have a difficult task in balancing the rights of the protesters against the safety of other road users and indeed the safety of the protesters themselves.
I moved in closer on the demonstraters to get a clearer idea what they were protesting about. It was a very serious issue; Genocide in the Congo, of which we seem to be washing our hands.....probably because there is no Middle East Terrorist connection or vast oil reserves at stake. Am I cynical? The police officer seemed oblivious to both myself, taking pictures, and the protesters and their cause. Obviously very experienced, he performed his job in a detached and professional manner. In his position it wouldn't do to become personally or emotionally involved.
This gentleman thrust a sheet of rather horrific pictures towards my camera. I could tell by his expression and the look in his eyes that this issue meant a lot to him. It made me appreciate that despite all that is going wrong in Britain we still have much to be thankful for.
A team of police motorcycists kept ahead of the march to ensure a safe passage and alert oncomming traffic.
Somewhat dissappointing for the protesters, no doubt, they were shepherded into an enclosure of railings within sight but still well short of the Houses of Parliament.
Once the protesters were safely enclosed the police sealed off the other end and then it was just a case of waiting until the demonstration burnt itself out in the shadow of Big Ben.
I'm pleased to report that at no stage did the police question my right to take photographs or attempt to interfere in any way. In my opinion they behaved impeccably, balancing the rights of the protesters against the need for public order and safety.
It is not the police that I have a quarrel with, although I am aware of a number of reported incidents when they do appear to have either abused or misunderstood their powers in relation to amateur and professional photographers alike. My main issue is with our foolish and ineffective politicians who might well spend their time better, for example, by trying to broker a peaceful solution to the dreadful situation in the Congo.
I'm pleased to report that at no stage did the police question my right to take photographs or attempt to interfere in any way. In my opinion they behaved impeccably, balancing the rights of the protesters against the need for public order and safety.
It is not the police that I have a quarrel with, although I am aware of a number of reported incidents when they do appear to have either abused or misunderstood their powers in relation to amateur and professional photographers alike. My main issue is with our foolish and ineffective politicians who might well spend their time better, for example, by trying to broker a peaceful solution to the dreadful situation in the Congo.
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