Between 1000 and 2000 photographers - amateurs and professionals - gathered in Trafalgar Square today to defend their rights to take pictures in public places and protest the 'illegal' use of stop and search powers against them.
The gathering, which was not officially called a protest, was organised by the campaign group I’m a Photographer, Not a Terrorist. The event brought together thousands of photographers and was the result of an intense campaign by photographers and magazines such as the British Journal of Photography and Amateur Photographer.
It came a year after photographers first gathered in front of New Scotland Yard in February 2009 when a new law came into force making it a potential crime to take pictures of police officers.
Today, photographers were protesting the use of Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which gives broad stop-and-search powers to police officers. These powers have been found to be illegal by the European Court of Human Rights. The court said that the powers could easily be abused by officers.
While a high turnout was expected, organisers were still surprised to see between 1000 and 2000 photographers in Trafalgar Square. 'I think it's the biggest event of its kind,' photojournalist Marc Vallée tells BJP. 'Photographers have come here from across the country. It's really heartwarming. I think people are enjoying themselves and also getting the message across.'
He adds: 'You've got professionals and amateurs all expressing their views about Section 44, which, as we know, was ruled unlawful.' Listen to Vallée comments here.
The event, which lasted more than one hour, was a clear success for photographers' rights. It was covered by multiple news organisations such as BBC News, Sky News and ITV. Journalists for The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph were also present.
