Florida Freelance Journalist Arrested After Photographing Voting Lines

[Tab]

A freelance journalist taking pictures of voters waiting outside the Palm Beach County elections headquarters was arrested after ignoring a deputy's orders to stop, sheriff's officials said.
...
Sheriff's Deputy Al Cinque tried to stop Henry as he shot pictures of about 600 people standing in line to vote Sunday afternoon. Henry began running away, but Cinque tackled him, the Palm Beach Post reported.

The deputy pinned Henry, 54, to the ground, yelling for him to stop moving, then punched him in the back. Cinque handcuffed Henry's left arm, pulled him to his feet and punched him again as Henry tried to hand him identification cards, according to the paper.
...
Assistant Palm Beach County Attorney Leon St. John said Cinque was enforcing new rules, enacted Friday by elections chief Theresa LePore, that prohibit reporters from talking with or photographing voters waiting outside polling stations.
http://www.wftv.com/news/3878109/detail.html

[maddezmom]

1. new rules, enacted Friday???

CNN was reporting live from FL at polling places over the weekend...wonder why they didn't get tackled?

[NNN0LHI]

10. Because CNN knows to only go to the "approved" polling places

Or else.

Don

[DemBones DemBones]

120. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! You can't

make up shit as wacky as those Republicans get up to. You just can't.

P.S. Remember how they made a big deal out of LePore being a Dem back in 2000? Before she showed her true colors.

[Catfight]

2. Why is it illegal to report history and record actual facts? n/t

[tabasco]

9. It's not. The deputy was the one breaking the law.

Illegal arrest, assault, battery. I hope they fire him.

on edit: The new rules should be struck down as unconstitutional. No rational purpose.

[Howardx]

12. isnt moore planning on filming tomorrow at polling places?

in florida?

[Medium Baby Jesus]

112. Why do you think they have a new rule? n/t

[ParanoidPat]

65. It's called "Abuse under color of authority".......

......and the 'new rules' will be struck down as being un-Constitutional.

The Palm Beach PD, LaPores' Office and that cop will be seeing a civil suit soon.

[LiberalFighter]

108. The deputy and all involved need to lose their job and...

the right to own a gun.

[Name removed]

107. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[B3Nut]

13. It isn't.

This is a pure assault on the 1st Amendment. Anything that happens in a public place is news, period. A photographer has the right to photograph and document it. Period. I hope he goes to court, there is enough extant case law to turn this unconstitutional rule on its head.

Then he needs to sue for damages. Hard.

Todd P

[freedom_to_read]

22. but by then it would be too late

this is the way the bushistas have been circumventing the 1st amdt. they round people up, harass them, arrest them. by the time the courts sort everything out it's too late.

[kayell]

Theresa LePore again!

The woman is a cheneying nightmare. What is she trying to hide this time?

Perhaps the actual number of voters? Much easier to lose some more votes, if no one has evidence of the crowds.

[LiberalFighter]

109. She is going to have a hard time not being hassled

Her life will be hell from now on

[kayell]

115. Good. She deserves it.

[Laughing Mirror]

3. I hope he can find somebody to pay his bond and get him out

This episode will make a good chapter for his book about "electoral democracy."

[H3Dakota]

4. Prohibits *reporters*?

What about private detectives filming people that were hired by some "unknown person"???

[UpInArms]

5. new laws to destroy the recordation of the destruction of

democracy.

LePore needs to have a change of attire - one with some lovely gray and white stripes.

:nuke:

[tanyev]

6. Hmmm...

Anyone else think this rule is specifically directed toward Michael Moore and his crews?

[TahitiNut]

8. :raised hand: Oh, oh, oh ... me. I do.

I have a keen sense of the obvious. It's not democracy; it's governance by fiat. Police state.

[Mister K]

18. TahitNut - Your Electorial Vote Needs updating - 298-231

[TahitiNut]

30. It's automatic. (If people refresh their cache.)

:shrug:

[Gore1FL]

133. yeah -- but do you seriously think this will stop him?

This type of shit stirs him up more!

[donco6]

7. ID-ing multiple voters.

Probably they don't want photo evidence of people voting more than once.

[pinerow]

11. just what is it that you are implying, donco...?

ny

[Media_Lies_Daily]

41. Is there anyone here selling clues?

[0007]

136. The repukes are known for jamming the lines with a hundred or

more warm bodies just to slow down the process and discourage folks from voting.

[RuleofLaw]

14. Any one else have a problem with this?

How can an election supervisor make any rules, let alone laws, about what can and cannot be done in a public place?

I did not know that an election supervisor had legislative power to decide what people can and cannot do.

I understand that she can regulate how the voting is taking place, but I seriously doubt she has any authority to do what she did. Imagine if every single election supervisor could make their own rules. This is ridiculous.

[flordehinojos]

15. It seems like Theresa LePore is stopping democracy in action.

With the full blessings of the bush administration (and who knows through what backhanded bush counsel)...they may be wanting to stop not only this guy Henry from photographing the polling places. More importantly they may be wanting to get at MICHALE MOORE AND HIS 1200 TELEVISION CREW THAT HE HAS PROMISED TO SEND TO ANY OF FLORIDA'S POLLING PLACES REPORTING ANY PROBLEMS WITH VOTE SUPPRESSION AND VOTER INTIMIDATION.

[kayell]

21. Ah, I had let Moores crew slip my mind. And they would certainly be out

in force watching LePore's shenanigans.

[LiberalFighter]

110. They should set up cameras in her office and her restroom

[GalleryGod]

16. LePore is STILL around?? Somebody drive a stake in her heart!

And whilst we're at it:bounce: Here's a "SEIG,HEIL!" for you TP!
Butterfly Ballot Girl rides...a-gain!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

17. First amendment applies: Freedom of the press, Get a stay on enforcement

Obviously, the Republican election commissioner is afraid that people might see how popular voting is and join in.

Get a stay on enforcement of this unconstitutional rule.

[highplainsdem]

19. I'm sure Moore and the DNC are already on this,

doing whatever it takes to keep those would-be fascists from stealing another election.

[Zhade]

88. Yeah...'cause the Dems sure stood up after it was stolen in 2000.

Oh, wait. Not a single senator did. Never mind.

[kayell]

116. Too hell with the senators if they haven't grown a spine this time around.

The rest of us have developed plenty of backbone.

[w4rma]

20. They just make up crap on the fly to tie us up. Blatant abuse of power. nt

[Rose Siding]

23. The media wants to run with this- Check Yahoo's headline- Rate It Up!

US journalist punched, arrested by officer outside Florida voting office

MIAMI (AFP) - A sheriff's deputy tackled, punched and arrested a US journalist for taking pictures of people waiting in line to cast early ballots in West Palm Beach, local media reported.
...........
Palm Beach Supervisor of Elections Teresa LePore did not comment on the incident or the new rule, which had not been previously announced. LePore gained notoriety as the creator of the infamous butterfly ballot that confused thousands of voters in the chaotic and controversial 2000 election.

Her counterpart from Leon County, Ion Sancho, expressed outrage at the attempt to restrict reporters and photographers outside polling places, saying it was a constitutional right, according to the Palm Beach Post.

Le Pore's office had not announced the new rule before the incident.

Election monitors say sheriff's deputies themselves broke the law on Sunday by standing right outside polling offices while early voting was going on.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1506&ncid=696&e=1&u=/afp/20041101/ts_alt_afp/us_vote_media_violence

[fugop]

31. Oh brother

What I really love about this is that the new "rule" was UNANNOUNCED! So they arrest the guy for a secret new rule? Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable. We're letting people die for free elections in Iraq and looky looky what's going on here at home. Bastards.

[kayell]

67. Minority voters to be blocked from polls when it is discovered that they

have all been on double-secret probation and have now overstepped the limits in their brazen attempt to vote.

[baldguy]

32. "Le Pore's office had not announced the new rule before the incident."

"`We are considering filing a lawsuit,' said Reggie Mitchell, a civil rights lawyer with the non-partisan Election Protection group that has deployed thousands of electoral monitors to Florida."


Try and do that after four more years of Bushco in power.

[klook]

42. The rule is contravened by the Constitution anyway

so whether or not it had been announced before the incident, there is no justification for the attack on this journalist.

[Zhade]

91. EX-POST FACTO, MOTHERFUCKER!

These fascists need to go down, HARD.

[klook]

36. Done - 3.89 with 712 vote(s) (n/t)

[maddezmom]

24. AFP headline:US journalist punched, arrested by officer outside Florida vo

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1506&ncid=696&e=3&u=/afp/20041101/ts_alt_afp/us_vote_media_violence

[maddezmom]

33. rate it!

[leftchick]

25. US journalist punched, arrested by officer outside Florida voting office

AFP:US journalist punched, arrested by officer outside Florida voting office!!!


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20041101/ts_alt_afp/us_vote_media_violence

<snip>


MIAMI (AFP) - A sheriff's deputy tackled, punched and arrested a US journalist for taking pictures of people waiting in line to cast early ballots in West Palm Beach, local media reported.


A sheriff's spokesman said later the deputy was enforcing a new county rule prohibiting reporters from interviewing or photographing voters lined up outside the polls, the Palm Beach Post said.


The deputy Sunday tried to grab the camera of James Henry, a freelance journalist who has written for The New York Times and The Washington Post.


Henry, 54, ran across the pavement but was tackled by the deputy, who pinned him to the ground, punched him in the back and handcuffed him, according to the daily.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

26. F*** that sh**!!! Somebody needs to make this a MAJOR issue!!!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

27. Key contact information for Palm Beach County....

<http://www.pbcountyclerk.com/judges.html>

My advice would be to call the Chief Judge's Office...local folks in Palm Beach should be the individuals making the calls.

Additionally, this information should be faxed to as many NATIONAL news outlets as possible...Keith Olberman, definitely.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

28. Kick!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

29. Does the Kerry Campaign know about this? What are they doing to...

...stop this outrageous conduct?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

34. I have just finished talking with Kerry Campaign HQ in Washington, DC....

...and they had not yet heard about this story. I told them where to find the story on the Net, and that fact that it was also an AP story. I also reminded them of good 'ol Teresa LaPore's actions during the 2000 election and that she was up to no good once again.

They were shocked, to say the least.

[cubsfan forever]

40. Bless you! n/t

Professor 2

[donsu]

35. this wasn't just any old reporter

"A widely published free-lance journalist, as well as a Harvard-educated lawyer and economist, Henry has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, U.S. News and World Report and The New Republic.

According to his Web site, www.submergingmarkets.com, he is working on "an election-year book, due out this fall, that explores how the U.S. is falling behind the rest of the democratic world, including countries like Brazil and South Africa, with respect to the practice of electoral democracy."

[Media_Lies_Daily]

37. Sounds like he may be able to command some decent legal help...

...and I hope he sticks it to them!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

38. Good work, by the way!

[Minnesota_Lib]

47. If this doesn't validate his thesis, nothing will...

[mountainvue]

39. I apologize in advance

to Florida Dems but Florida is a cancer on our republic right now. It needs some serious treatment.

[Bridget Burke]

44. So, please tell us where you're from.....

Let us admire the 100% perfect place you call home.

[mountainvue]

50. No need to get defensive.

My reply was one of concern. I grew up in Rhode Island and now live in Colorado. Flame away if you think it will help the situation in Florida.

[madfloridian]

52. Are you aware that most of us at DU have fought hard here?

I don't care where you live, you do not need to be insulting. We have worked our butts off here, with no help from the Democratic party officials until just lately. We have fought the old guard Democrats who let 2000 happen, and were going to let it happen again.

[mountainvue]

61. It is not my intention to insult you

but to offer you my unequivocal support.

[NVMojo]

134. ok, the bush family and their cronies are a cancer in Florida

and everywhere else they are in the usa and we need to excise them today!!!

[ezekiel333]

45. No need to apologize

You are correct. It requires the removal of both the sons a bushes.

[mountainvue]

51. Thank you.

I love your beautiful state, especially the Gulf coast. And yes, we must rid ourselves of the sons a bushes. :-)

[funkhowser]

90. You're right

... on all counts. I live on the Gulf Coast (St. Pete) and voting is f-ed up here ... 2-4 hour waits for early voting. I really hope no crap goes down tomorrow. And, I'm so sick of the Bush supporters I've encountered (although Pinellas County went Gore in 2000) ... just in your face, ugly, and stupid people ... agghh, go away.

You're also right about how beautiful the Gulf Coast is. We have to remind ourselves at times that people save up to come visit for a week or two, what we enjoy all year. Come back ... hotels are empty since the hurricanes ... loads of great deals.

[Orangepeel]

62. but Utah, Wyoming, Montana, ND, Alabama, etc. are okay?

we have problems in Florida because we are fighting and they are fighting back.

Every state has good, hardworking Democrats and I don't want to write off any of them. But, if you are listing states that are a "cancer on our republic" Florida shouldn't come first. There are plenty of states that are under the complete domination of the republican party and that don't have near as strong a Resistance movement as we do.

[madfloridian]

64. AMEN! We are fighting back, and they do not want to give up power.

Take a long look at some other states this time around as well.

[lark]

126. Florida is not the problem

The Ahole who's governor and his minions are the scheming cheaters, not the folks in FL. We didn't vote for his brother and he stole our votes the first time, so now he thinks he can get away with anything. Their arrogance and disdain for anyone not "their kind" knows no bounds. I just hope the outpouring is so great, even they aren't able to steal this one.

Get everyone you know to their voting places tomorrow - leave nothing to chance!! We have to win by a huge margin to withstand their vote stealing!!

lark

[ezekiel333]

43. See ya in the streets.

The battle lines are very clear at this point.

[colonel odis]

46. i just called the sheriff's dept in palm beach and the guy

who answered the phone said that what was reported was not exactly what happened. he said that if anyone wants to take pictures of voters in a line, they have to ask permission of each voter. he also said the photographer was asked politely not to take pictures.

if memory serves me from journalism classes 25 years ago, that's not necessary in news situations. so the official line they're being told to spew is false. as is, apparently, the story of what led to the guy photographer being beaten up.

i asked the young officer on the phone if palm beach country really wanted that sort of publicity, given how much attention was focused on the place four years ago. he sort of stammered and hemmed and hawed. i told him i though palm beach county would go out of its way to make sure nothing like that happened, since all the publicity coming out of there before was negative. he hemmed and hawed some more, then transferred me to media relations, but i felt like i'd wasted enough time talking to this kid.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

56. The kid didn't have a clue, did he?

[tom_paine]

114. As much a clue as any Nazi Polizi who was "following orders"

in 1936.

[KoKo]

60. Our local newspaper has published three pictures of long lines at the poll

-in places here for early voting, and I myself took several pictures in view of all there and was never questioned.

Whatever LaPore and the arresting officer did was illigal. Of course in Jeb's Florida..."they" are the "law" so it's operations as usual.

I'm amazed she was dumb enough to pull this given the publicity it will get...but on the other hand I've heard that she isn't the brightest bulb out there. She does what she's told.

[Minimus]

74. I will be a poll observer in NC on Tues and at legal training

we were told to report if anyone photographs/films voters. This is because photos are often used as a form of intimidation and deters voting.

As I understand it, the media can use large shots of crowds where individual voters are not identifiable. If the media photographs/films individuals they must obtain their permission.

This is the rules in NC, not sure how it applies elsewhere

[Rob H.]

77. Here's a question for DUers...

He said that if anyone wants to take pictures of voters in a line, they have to ask permission of each voter. He also said the photographer was asked politely not to take pictures.

If memory serves me from journalism classes 25 years ago, that's not necessary in news situations.

My recollections are a little more recent (only 13 years ago, LOL) but I think you may be right. If a person is in a public setting, they really don't have an expectation of privacy that would prohibit them from being photographed. If it were a private function, then yes, it is possible to prohibit photography and a signed waiver would be required.

Anyone with more recent experience have a more concrete answer? I could be wrong, and I welcome any clarification. (But please be nice. ;))


Edit: Just read that he was taking pictures of a large group of voters (~600); was he taking photos of individual voters, too? The article doesn't make it clear.

Also note this passage in the original story: "Miller said the deputy had asked Henry to move to another area to snap pictures."

So which is it? Was he violating a new but unannounced rule by taking any pictures, or was it okay for him to take pictures as long as he was further away? Damned bureaucrats--why can't their cryptic, secretive regulations be a little clearer? </sarcasm>

[LiberalFighter]

111. How about all those security cameras placed by cities in the US?

[joeunderdog]

123. This is laughable (but not funny)

We've all had our pics taken without our consent. Ever gone to a wedding without signing a release.

If you're in public, it's only a courtesy to be asked before someone takes your picture. The news could not operate if this was required.

Think Jacko ever gave permission to take his picture when he was being arraigned?

[L.A.dweller]

48. At the anti war protests (back in March 2003)

the police force was videotaping EVERYONE who attended.
FL want's to claim that this was illegal ?!?! Fuck them.

[Rjnerd]

49. Old south not dead...

The "old south" that set police dogs on protestors, is apparently not dead.

You can't stop people from taking photographs in a public place. This is especially true for the credentialled press. There are some restrictions on use of a particular photograph, mostly involving advertising. Those restrictions affect the publication, but not the taking of the photograph. (for news reporting, the restrictions are almost nil, but the paper would have to get permisison from the participants, and the owners of any visible buildings, to use the picture in an advertisement for the newspaper)

People that unaware of of the constitution should not be in a public office. (both of them, the election official that invented the regulation, and the deputy dumb enough to try to enforce it) And one of the usual rules about regulations, is that you have to "publish" them. (at a minumum, have them available for public inspection)

The only person guilty of disorderly conduct was the deputy. I do hope the journalist brings a suit against the election commisioner, personally. (not the office, so that the taxpayer gets stuck with the bill)

Here is a folk tune that I heard a few months ago, and is particularly apropriate in this case -- Anne Feeney's "Have you been to jail for Justice".

http://www.annefeeney.com/Pages/jailforjustice.html

Reporter: I want to shake your hand.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

57. I'm willing to bet that the Patriot Act will be used to deny the ability..

...of people to take pics in a public place. We've already seen people arrested around the country for taking pictures of public buildings as tourists.

But I don't care what trumped-up law is enacted, what the police are doing in West Palm Beach is just plain wrong.

[AspenRose]

71. I bet you're right

They've already tried it before in FL. A few weeks ago on C-SPAN a representative from Election Protection spoke to the CBC at a hearing and said that the Patriot Act was cited to keep them from registering immigrants who had just become American citizens to vote.

[lovuian]

53. Well I think this is a warning to Michael Moore but can

Police control a zoom lense!!! Cameras can stand far away and zoom in and Police would not be able to control that plus what about those phones with the cameras now...Talk click click Talk click click

Le Pore is Le Stupid and she is going down honey!!!

Michael we love you!!! :bounce:

[bushisanidiot]

54. This is the Bush Family's version of democracy

kind of makes you wonder how the voting is going to be handled in Iraq, doesn't it?

[Supersedeas]

66. makes you wonder how voting will be handled for our grandchildren, if

these Rethugs get their way!!!

[kayell]

68. Makes me wonder if my grandchild will know what voting is when she grows u

[54anickel]

55. What would they do if people starting to turn up in droves with cameras

at the polling places? Just a thought.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

59. I guess Barney Fife would go ballistic and start jittering....

...all over the place...

"Andy! Andy!"

[JohnyCanuck]

69. You gotta be careful now.

If he got too overwrought he might use the single bullet Andy lets him keep in his shirt pocket and load his revolver.

[madfloridian]

58. How to contact Jeb's office and Glenda Hood about Theresa's new rule.

Jeb Bush, Governor
850 / 488-4441
Executive Office of the Governor
400 S. Monroe Street
The Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001

EMAIL:
[e-mail]

And here is contact page for Glenda Hood, Sec. of State, who is totally in charge of elections.

http://oss.dos.state.fl.us/index.html

[madfloridian]

70. Glenda Hood's office phone is not working.

I posted more in GD2004, but that forum is not working right now. Same thing happened in 2000, Sec. of State Harris not available.

[Zerex71]

63. Just a reminder...

Do not offend the Reichstag!

[The Wielding Truth]

72. Gestapo

[goforit]

73. Bring out thousands of cameras!!!.....Don't be intimidated!!!!!

[Minimus]

75. Please be advised photographing voters can be form of intimidation

I am a poll observer in NC and we were told to contact our legal team to report if anyone photographs/films voters. The media can film individual voters with permission, but regular guy Joe Schmoe cannot just walk up and take a picture of people waiting to vote.

[madfloridian]

76. This guy was the media, though.

Our newspaper took pictures of the voting lines and published them. I think they are telling you something that is not quite true.

[Minimus]

84. The training I went to was held by the Dem legal team in my

county. They stated one of the main things for the poll observers to be on the lookout for is voter intimidation, especially to minorities, and that taking photos is not allowed. We are to bring our cell phones and immediately call the legal hotline to report this type of action.

[madfloridian]

87. "taking photos is not allowed."

When did this law come into effect? I think you need to question someone in your precinct strongly. My husband is a poll watcher, I just looked through all the rules, nothing there.

All I want to know is when did this happen? Does that mean a newspaper or TV can not take pictures of the long and beautiful lines?

Think about the ramifications.

[Minimus]

89. Maybe it is different from state to state

I stated in my above post that my understanding is the media is allowed to photo lines that do not identify individual voters and can probably photograph individuals with their permission.

[nodehopper]

78. your instuctions are probably to guart against TARU-type groups

or whatever they are called outside NYPD. These Techincal Assistance Research Units shouldn't be filming at protests and public gatherings, yet they do, and it's a source of many legal challenged. Media is a whole other thing.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

79. I don't guess that you bothered to read the entire thread....

...this is a brief summary of the photographer who happens to be one of the good guys:

<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=949556&mesg_id=949935&page=>

[Minimus]

82. Well, I don't guess that you bothered to read my entire post:

"The media can film individual voters with permission, but regular guy Joe Schmoe cannot just walk up and take a picture of people waiting to vote."

I did read the thread and that is why I was just alerting any regular Joe who thought it would be okay to take their camera to the polls to start snapping photos.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

93. Right. Whatever you say.

[Minimus]

100. I hope when Kerry wins you are able to relax a little.

You are wound way too tight.

Are you one of those "I am always right and everyone else is wrong people"? Why are you so vicious to people that are on the same side as you? Your "anti-democracy" comment to samtob was absurb.

I was speaking of personal knowledge that I learned in training for poll observing in North Carolina. Maybe it doesn't apply everywhere. I do not claim to know the election laws in every state.

I was just trying to inform people that photographing voters may be interpreted as intimidation as my county's legal team stated. We worked hard on GOTV. I would hate to get them there only to lose them before the can actually vote.

[madfloridian]

117. Well, that is a rude thing to say to a fellow DUer.

If you are not "wound tight" perhaps you should be. If that is the rule in your state, then something is wrong with our voting system.

[Minimus]

121. It appears that my state is not the only one.

And let me clarify, I was simply warning people that may decide they want to take their camera to the polls and start taking pictures that it may be perceived as intimidation by some voters and/or poll observers:


http://news.findlaw.com/prnewswire/20041026/26oct2004153836.html
snip:
Tactics such as photographing prospective voters and asking for their identification are often targeted toward minority precincts, McGill said, citing a study by the NAACP and People for the American Way.

http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/1998/October/512ag.htm
STATEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO
snip:
"We have heard reports that some private citizens may be thinking of going to polling places in minority areas to try interrupt voters by questioning them, or by photographing them, as a part of some attempt to uncover illegal voting. These people should take warning: we will not tolerate harassment of minority voters under this guise. We do not sanction efforts of individuals to take law enforcement efforts into their own hands. Anyone who has evidence of illegal voting activity should give that information to law enforcement officials immediately.


http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a20/accomplishments.htm
snip:
Election Reform: Videotaping of Voters
This bill prohibits anyone from photographing or videotaping voters within 100 feet of a polling place if it is with the intent to intimidate them from voting. This bill is intended to address a problem that arose during the November 2002 election, in which there were reports of people videotaping voters in an attempt to dissuade them from voting.

This bill does not apply to the news media.


http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/politics/9882527.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp&1c
snip:
Fineman said intimidation tactics that have been used elsewhere include stationing guards or police officers at polling places, photographing people waiting to vote and giving out false information that voters with overdue parking fines will be arrested when they show up at the polls.

[madfloridian]

122. They KNEW he was media. He told them.

They slammed him around when he tried to show credentials.
What you posted goes to intent of the photographer. They gave this guy no chance at all.

You do realize that taping intimidation is out now. People are getting too reactive.

[Minimus]

124. My post was not aimed at what happened to him.

I think it was horrible how he was treated. The police are in the wrong on that.

My post was aimed at the average citizen reading this thread and in response to some who said "take cameras to the polls". I was warning to be cautious about photographing.

[samtob]

80. Exactly!

Many people have an adversion to being photographed by people they do not know. My father is a freelance photographer, I have worked with him on many occasions. He has had countless people approach him after or as he is pointing the camera in thier direction very upset.

I feel this individual taking pictures of people standing in line could be seen as an intimidation to some.

[madfloridian]

81. Baloney! This country has always photographed voting lines!!

What the heck is going on here?

Are you guys brainwashed? Yes, it is perfectly ok to take pictures of people voting!

[samtob]

83. Remember a couple of weeks ago

(looking for the story) when there were complaints of cars with dark windows, and pictures being taken from the cars... People were claiming that was intimidation.

Would you feel different if the story stated this guy was a * supporter, claiming to be a freelance journalist?

Would you feel different if someone left the line because they were not comfortable being photographed? (possibly behind on child support payments, may have a warrant for unpaid traffic tickets etc)

How about if the photographer was sitting in a car, with a long lens photographing people in a covert fashion?

There are a whole lot of people that DO NOT want photographed, they value their privacy for one reason or another.

[madfloridian]

85. That photographer you mention had been behind dark windows.

He had been there lurking for a long time. Henry had been right out in the open.

There is no comparison, none at all.

This is bordering on the ridiculous.

[samtob]

92. I think you are missing my point

Is it alright then for photographers (press, journalists) to unknowingly intimidate a potential voter who leaves the line because they are photographing the people in line, because they do not want to end up published, and possibly being recognized, identified and found? (examples I used, behind on child support, warrant for traffic tickets or failure to appear etc)

These are the same people that will feel uncomfortable / intimidated to go to the polls if there is a police presence.

I don't think it's right. Actually I think it is intimidation, for the press to photograph people in line for the purpose of publication.

The poll watchers with the video cameras are totally different. They are not there gathering film to publish. Journalists are.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

95. You don't HAVE a point in this case. Give it up.

[madfloridian]

118. I think you are way way off base on this.

You know exactly the difference when someone is hiding behind darkened car windows and is a private eye. Good grief.

[robbedvoter]

86. Not in a news story! Michael Moore has 1300 cameramen around

This time wou won't screw us again!

[samtob]

94. Michael Moore is not going to publish

his footage in the local newspaper or on the ten o'clock news. There lies the difference between what the poll watchers (defenders of freedom imo) are doing and what the journalists are doing.

If one knows that a video is being taken to protect their vote, they are not going to hesitate to get in line because it is not going to go on the news or in the paper.

Those same people would be very reluctant, or unlikely to stand in line if the news media were there.

For whatever reason, and they do vary, a lot of people do not want to be seen, identified etc. That does not mean they do not have the right to cast a vote, that is what I am talking about.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

96. But what you're babbling on about DOES NOT apply. See Post #35...

Henry is:

"A widely published free-lance journalist, as well as a Harvard-educated lawyer and economist, Henry has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, U.S. News and World Report and The New Republic.

According to his Web site, www.submergingmarkets.com, he is working on "an election-year book, due out this fall, that explores how the U.S. is falling behind the rest of the democratic world, including countries like Brazil and South Africa, with respect to the practice of electoral democracy."

Who do you think you're arguing with here...a bunch of elementary school kids?

Get lost, and take your anti-Democracy thoughts with you.

[samtob]

97. I am sure he made his credentials well known

to everyone he photographed.

Basically anyone feeling uneasy or intimidated by having their photo taken is stupid and should not vote?

I am not making a statement about the journalist in the article, but the presence of the media / journalist at the poll lines. I think it is wrong.

IF they were to ask permission of the people they are photographing before snapping away, that would be a whole different story, but they don't.

anti democracy..... are you always this agressive?

[Ima]

98. hmmm

What's going to happen in that line that they don't want photographed?

[samtob]

103. #92 has a list of examples

[immoderate]

128. Hate to chime in on the unpopular side (not)

but this is not a ball game or a rock concert. I think that people who go to vote have some right to privacy.

I should be able to vote without having my picture published.

I'm not condoning the violence, or the arrest, but this is not as cut and dried as it sounds at first. BTW, I worked as a photographer, and it is not easy when people don't want to be in pictures. As a rule I didn't photograph people without their permission.

--IMM

[Minimus]

101. I guess some are not following our point about intimidation-

there is a difference between a journalist asking permission to photograph someone then a repub trying to intimidate a minortiy voter by snapping away.

[samtob]

104. Journalists usually ask after the fact

picture first, ask details later. The desire for candid shots usually prevent them from asking permission.

I am not trying to beat this issue to death, but if we are going to fight for some peoples rights to vote without intimidation, then we better be fighting for EVERYONE'S rights.

[Occulus]

129. You're joking, right?

"Those same people would be very reluctant, or unlikely to stand in line if the news media were there."

I'm willing to lay money on people not only not caring if the media is there, closely scrutinizing the events that take place, I'm willing to put cash on people wanting the news media near the polls.

We- voters- are the ones generating the news. We should be talked to by the media, IMO. I personally want the news media there.

[ParanoidPat]

106. You are wrong,

The media has a Constitutionally protected right to film anyone, anywhere, and any time that there is something 'news worthy' happening.

Regular 'Joe Shmoe' can photograph anyone in a public setting as long as he doesn't sell or use the images for commercial purposes without a model release. The exception being if he sells them to a news outlet as a 'stringer'.

[samtob]

113. You are right they are protected

but that was not my point.

See #92 and my other posts to get my point. I may be being over sensitive on this issue, but as I said;

If we are going to fight for peoples right to vote without intimidation, we better fight for EVERY person's right.

[madfloridian]

119. You must be afraid of having somone take your picture to be so angry.

I think we are talking about our Democracy here....and if they start arresting journalists and slamming them up against cars and handcuffing them and holding them without bail for taking a picture....then we are in deep you know what.

[Minimus]

125. see my post 121 for links about photographing voters

[StupidFOX]

99. "Punched him again as Henry tried to hand him identification cards"?

Look out, he has ID!! :crazy:

So, this means we'll have no documentation of what's going on at polling places. Great...

[Robbie67]

102. That's BULLSHIT!

There is no law like that. LePore is trying to keep people from knowing what's going on.

And the other thing is, this could apply to Michael Moore's filmographers that he's sending to the verious polls.

This is bullshit!

[ignatius 2]

105. Welcome to the USSR!! WTF. Facism will come in the form of

patriotism and the thugs are banding together now.

[spooked]

127. Does this man have the look of a Freeper, or what!!??

http://www.local6.com/news/3878057/detail.html

[Julian English]

130. Read his CV--he may look like a Freeper to you, but he is a real patriot

http://bloodbankers.typepad.com/about.html

http://bloodbankers.typepad.com/

The guy is concerned about democracy in US and foreign elections, and he is a stern critic of *--in action and in word.

Please, check before you disparage. It took me 3 minutes to Google him and find this out.

[hayu_lol]

131. Florida 'tackled' the wrong photo journalist...

Henry has the credentials to back up his claim as a photographer. To Florida's obvious dismay, he is also, as many DUers have stated, an attorney. This will cost the state bigtime in both publicity and money. Takes a lot to embarass Florida.

He was on a public sidewalk, he was photographing a 'newsworthy' public scene. He has witnesses including a BBC journalist--so when the dark cloud of secrecy attempts to cover this gaffe(and 1st amendment violation), the foreign press will be right on it and we can all chuckle while reading it on the net.

Photojournalists, according to the news item this morning on buzzflash, had been taking pics of the line all morning...without any problems with the local Nazis.

[MinneapolisMatt]

132. I wonder if Theresa LePore is related to....

Amanda LePore? :)

http://www.queenmother.tv/nycgirl/amanda/aman.html

[tinanator]

137. No

and I should know

[JSJ]

135. cops are the thug/bitches of republicans!

[nolabels]

138. Use a camera, go to jail. Jeb and the ilk are COWARDS

Afraid of the truth and afraid of real democracy. They don't want people to vote that they don't approve of and think they are going to be able to shut people out.

There are more of us than there are of the cowards and WE WILL WIN

[The Animator]

139. O.K. I had already voted and I was up in the air as to what to do today...

But I've decided that this afternoon I shall drive out to a polling place, and draw a picture everyone in line. It will be a masterpeice.