Tuesday, May 15, 2012

SAVE THE RIGHT TO RECORD!

I want to share a call to action that was in my email inbox today:

Since September, police have rounded up dozens of people around the country for the “crime” of trying to document political protests in public spaces.1

It has gotten so bad that America’s global press freedom ranking has dropped to a historic low, according to two separate surveys.2

A coalition of free speech and digital rights groups recently called on the Justice Department to defend our “right to record.” We need to amplify this message before the Chicago protests begin.3


Using little more than iPhones, Androids or other mobile devices, people have changed the way breaking news is recorded and shared with the world. In return, police have targeted, harassed — and in many cases, arrested — those trying to capture images and video of public events.

Last week a federal appeals court struck down a controversial Illinois law that allowed police to arrest anyone recording their actions.4 This development comes at a critical time for journalists and activists hoping to cover the Chicago protests.

Now the Justice Department must take the necessary steps to protect the right to record for all Americans.

As protests and election-year events unfold in 2012, we must guard our right to record and protect the networks that help us voice our political beliefs.


Thank you for signing our letter.

Josh Stearns
Free Press
Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Learn more at www.freepress.net.

Join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

13 comments:

puddle said...

Howard's my guy!! You?

Thanks for this one, Jo. Very important!

Shirlee in NC said...

Yes--thanks very much, Jo--this is so important. When I clicked the link to sign, however, Firefox said they
couldn't open it.

Have you tried this, Puddle?

Doing an economic stimulus errand on Elm St.in GSO today--for a daughter who lives in Cinnci! Some crafter-made lip gloss which is "the best she has ever had." And this is one who pinches her pennies twice before spending them!

puddle said...

Shirlee, it's because the email part up front.

Try this one: http://act2.freepress.net/letter/right_to_record

puddle said...

Tanner update:

We are in the ICU with Tanner who has pneumonia and kidney deterioration. He was sick all weekend and when I brought him to the ER today I was hoping he just needed fluids. Poor kid. We wouldn't mind a prayer or two....

9 hours ago


http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=hope.

puddle said...

This, too:

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=tanner

puddle said...

Shirlee, that must be *some* lip gloss, lol! And bless you in the name of all crafters, everywhere!

Pat said...

Good Afternoon from New Orleans,

Thank you for the candle. Thoughts Tanner's way for him and his family.

We are having a beautiful time here. An amazing city and its people.

Living is Art say the signs here.
Glad for you all at Jo's Place.

Shirlee in NC said...

Crafters, vintage clothing and older jewelry are doing well in GSO--at least in the 300-400 block of S. Elm!
The recently opened Sunday S.Elm Urban Market is open to crafters as well as
food producers--farmers, bakers, dairy people. If local merchants want to participate all the better--come one, come all!!!

Shirlee in NC said...

Does this irritate anyone else--the use of the words "right now" in a link for a
political group? It seems to be a new approach this political season.
I choose carefully to
whom I will give and I suppose most people do. Others need to wait in line!

puddle said...

Megan Nielsen
thanks everyone. And to everyone that offered help, I can't think of anything at the moment but appreciate the offers. Tanner's blood pressures have stabilized and they are going to move him out of ICU tonight. If his feisty attitude has anything to say about it, he is feeling a little better than yesterday! They gave him a rescue dose of steroids (20x what he generally takes daily) to help his kidneys. (maybe that's where the feisty is coming from!). Things are not normal yet, but they are improving slowly. Thank you my friends!

33 minutes ago

Shirlee in NC said...

Sounds like hopeful news--thanks, Puddle.

puddle said...

Thanks for the candles!! What that young boy and his mother have gone through, including a father who bailed, is astonishing to me. Ache for all concerned.

listener said...

Thanks so much for the Back to the Future thread!

Someone dropped off a book at the Library where I work, with a post-it note with my name on it. It is the book DO THE IMPOSSIBLE by Kate O'Connor, about the Howard Dean campaign. But, who dropped off the book? And do they want it back after I've read it? Ah, the mysteries of life.



I'm pretty far behind, having been away in NC (of all places) for my son's Ph.D. graduation. It was perfect...from sunshine and 70's to his big smile, to how angelic our granddaughters were for the 6 or so hours of ceremonies! We are so happy and proud.