Mass gathering in defence of street photography #phnat

The campaign group I'm a Photographer, Not a Terrorist! invites photographers to gather in London this Saturday in defence of street photography.

The Mass Photo Gathering is in Trafalgar Square at 12 noon on Saturday 23 January. (Map here.) Over 1,400 people have already confirmed their attendance via this Facebook page.

We've covered many cases, on Lib Dem Voice, of anti-terrorist legislation being misused, particularly to detain photographers. Prompted by incidents like these, PHNAT calls on photographers, whether amateur or professional, as well as anyone who values visual imagery, "to defend our rights and stop the abuse of the terror laws."

See also Section 44 powers remain in place despite European Court decision from the British Journal of Photography:

"Police forces across the UK have confirmed they will continue to use Section 44 to stop and search individuals, including photographers, despite a decision by the European Court of Human Rights, which found the powers to be illegal. The Home Office plans to appeal the ruling, but it faces an uphill battle to get it overturned.

In a statement to BJP, David Hanson, Policing and Security Minister, has reaffirmed that the stop and search powers granted under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 were 'an important tool in a package of measures in the on-going fight against terrorism.'

He adds: 'I am disappointed with the [European Court of Human Rights] ruling in this case as we won all other challenges in the UK courts, including at the House of Lords. We are considering the judgment and will seek to appeal.' "

Crossposted from Liberal Democrat Voice, an independent, collaborative website run by Liberal Democrat activists. Helen is a contributing editor at the site.