“In the Soviet Union there are certain things you should not photograph. They are (long list), and bridges. Especially bridges. Never photograph a bridge under any circumstances. Don’t even take along a photograph of your favorite bridge back home”
– William F Buckley

Since photography had traditionally been banned in the former Soviet Block, I feel it is appropriate to issue Honorary Orders of Lenin to those government agencies, officials, and corporations that carry on that legacy by banning photography in the United States. They should be proud of what they really are: TOTALITARIANS of the Highest Order!

Honorary Orders of Lenin are hereby awarded to:

Janet Napolitano for urging people to report photography to police

Chief Rick Oliva of the Franklin, Wisconsin Police Department for declaring that photography is considered suspicious and his officers have the right to detain anyone caught engaging in it.

The United States Department of Transportation for engaging in a policy of harassing photographers

The Chicago Transit Authority for its ad equating photography with terrorism

The Federal Bureau of Investigation for telling photographers that it is illegal to take pictures of federal buildings.

Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (MTA Bridges and Tunnels) for censorship and banning photography on all of their bridges.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for censorship and banning photography on their bridges and the PATH system

New York City Police Department for harassing photographers and citing non-existant laws against photography.

MTA New York City Transit for censorship and allowing its employees and police officers to harass photographers in spite of rules specifically allowing photography in the system.

PATCO for harassing and threatening photographers.

City of Washington DC for harassing photographers.

City of Indianapolis for harassing photographers.

Port Of Long Beach for banning photography, harassing photographers and confiscating their film.

Napa County Sheriff’s office for assaulting a photographer and breaking his equipment and cellphone.

Maryland Transit Police for telling a photographer that the “First Amendment is suspended in time of war”.

Fairport, NY Police Department for banning public photography and stealing cameras.

The Burlington County Bridge Commission for banning photography OF their bridges and restricting first amendment rights by telling the press: “I’d rather get criticized for taking away someone’s rights than be criticized for not taking precautions to protect the bridges.”

The Georgetown Sheriff’s Office for enforcing a non-existant law against photographing ports.

RTD Denver Colorado for prohibiting photography on and of their system.

New Jersey State Police for implying that photography of bridges is illegal.

Long Beach Police Department for harassing photographers and stating it is illegal to photograph the port area when clearly it is perfectly legal!!

Francis State Beach Park Rangers for illegally detaining and intimidating photographers.

Tennessee Fusion Center for its open declaration of war against photographers and tourists.

Fairfax County (VA) Courthouse for harassing photographers and lying about nonexistant laws prohibiting photography.

The United States Coast Guard for creating a website that encourages the harassment of photographers.

The Texas City Police Department for enforcing a policy of illegally detaining and harassing photographers.

The City of St Paul and its Police Department for seizing equipment, deleting pictures and arresting photographers who are within their legal rights.

The Maryland State Fair for allowing the police officers patrolling its grounds to harass and threaten photographers.

The Chicago Police Department for detaining and arresting photographers for no other reason than they were taking pictures from public space

The City of Chelsea Police Department for lying to photographers and intimidating them into deleting their pictures

The Phoenix Police Department for using threats and intimidation to discourage photography and violating bloggers’ first amendment rights through the use of retaliatory search warrants.

The City of Snohomish, Washington for declaring that its police department has a right to harass photographers.

Congratulations to all the winners!!!!!