Here's a link to an offer by someone (probably the Daily Kos diarist) to make a Global Exchange press pass for an activist who got hassled while taking pictures:
Eileen, on September 30th, 2007 at 12:22 pm Said:
Arrested for taking pictures? What a crock.
Someone needs a Leeloo Dallas multipass!!!!
You want I should talk to Medea about making one for you? I’m making up a bunch of them for some of the other ladies anyway. (They’re actually press passes issued by Medea’s other organization, Global Exchange. The photo’s a joke - replace the word “multipass” with PRESS and you get the idea.)
dandelionsalad, on September 30th, 2007 at 8:32 pm Said:
Hi Eileen, well, I wasn’t arrested for taking pictures but for trespassing (bogus charge, never filed in court either). What I learned from the experience was that I could survive being arrested. I’m sure the cops’ idea was to dissuade me from taking photos of them. Actually it only encouraged me to continue to document them when there is an abuse of power.
Tell me more about the press pass thing, I may be interested. Thanks!
Eileen, on October 1st, 2007 at 12:01 pm Said: Hi Lo,
A press pass lets you get into places and gives you a certain immunity from the police. These are LEGITIMATE passes - Medea is one of the founders of Global Exchange. She authorized me to duplicate her own press pass and issue them to select Code Pink members in order to facilitate their entry into Congressional hearings and other political events around DC. Since there are a cadre of women who do in fact document these events with stories and photos, she is simply legitimizing their ability to do so in a way that is recognized by the established social order.
As a member of the press you are entitled to protections that ordinary citizens won’t usually get from police. Police are aware that press coverage of their actions can get them in trouble, so they (usually) don’t hassle members of the press corps.
You have my email address, so if you want me to pursue getting one of these for you let me know. I’d need an id-like photo of you and the full name you want on the card.
dandelionsalad, on October 1st, 2007 at 4:53 pm Said:
Thanks Eileen, will send a pic to you for the press pass. Just what I need!
Well, most of the press does think of themselves as royalty.