This is a follow up of the story we reported yesterday. Intimidation, harassment and a ban on doing business have given the photographer who was the subject of the story no choice but to quit the hobby. As he states in this post on Flickr:

Yes, I made candid photos in the street. I was only trying to document the social landscape. It was my belief that posed shots or shots where they had given consent would be inauthentic. But, that being said, I did often ask for permission simply because there was no other way to get the shot.

Now, photography was a hobby. It was fun. But, I have a wife, two kids and a lot of other responsibilities that going along with family life and home ownership. I don’t have the energy to fight these people.

I’ve put my cameras away.

The photo that these businesses found so offensive can be seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38261591@N06/4386517442/

The business that allegedly requested the trespass order is Uncommon Grounds

This is precisely what we have been saying. The authorities cannot pass laws against photography yet through threats, intimidation and harassment they are succeeding in forcing photographers to quit their hobby. It is outrageous and we stand by our assertion that it is inexcusable!

It is also about time that the Vermont ACLU got involved and put the spotlight on these blanket trespass orders that are being abused for no other purpose than revenge, when certain store owners do not otherwise have the law on their side. Take this example of an employee who took his employer to court for cheating him on his paycheck. He WON his case including back pay but was rewarded with a blanket trespass order similar to the one issued to the photographer.

According to the article:

Supporters of the universal trespass policy say it’s been an effective tool for reducing petty crimes and minor disturbances, primarily shoplifting and disorderly conduct

However in this case NO CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED, petty or otherwise!

Furthermore:

there is no appeals process. The only recourse is if the business that originally requested the trespass order rescinds it,

So we urge photographers worldwide to contact Uncommon Grounds and demand that they rescind this order.

Uncommon Grounds
42 Church Street
Burlington, VT 05401-4643
802.865.6227
Fax: (802) 863-4643
Email:info@ugvermont.com

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