So are all photographers terrorists now?

Yet another “photography is terrorism” incident.

I was declared a terrorist, today. As I was walking around campus photographing art, buildings, cars, people, I was stopped by police.

The policemen asked who I was, what I was doing, why I was taking photographs, where I lived, all the good stuff. When I told them I was a student taking photographs for my own personal enjoyment (a concept they couldn’t comprehend); I was told this is illegal under the USA PATRIOT act. I was greatly confused by this statement. My understanding is that I am legally allowed to take photographs of public buildings. I informed them of this and they were taken aback. They then went on to tell me that NJIT is not a public institution. They told me that it is publicly funded but not a public school. This is a blatant lie. If you visit NJIT’s website you see very clearly, “A Public Research University.” Furthermore, the police refused to give me their information, even after I gave them my three pieces of ID (Rutgers, NJIT, and Driver’s License). I asked for their information and they told me they are from the precinct down the block. I didn’t want to push for their Badge Numbers as I had no paper with me. Instead I walked to the precinct and spoke with Sergeant Lincoln who told me to come back tomorrow and speak with him further on this matter. Sergeant Lincoln was told it may be possible for me to get permission to take pictures on campus, until then I am a terrorist. He, too, did not give me their badge numbers.

<

p>(via Arcterex)

“Dreaming (Evolution)” by BT from the album Dreaming (2000, 10:09).