Criminal Activity?

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Could I be arrested for taking and posting photos here? Two days ago fellow CDPB photoblogger Amir Sadeghi was arrested in Tehran by Iranian government authorities in what seems to be a further concerted action to suppress and intimidate journalists and bloggers from sharing information or images of anti-government demonstrations. Amir was picked up at his place of work, a newspaper, on February 8th because of photos he took of the violent government crackdown on a December 27 demonstration and published on his personal blog, Tehranlive.org. He also publishes Tehran 24. He had previously been arrested and released last June after a number of days in prison. At that time he had been randomly picked up while out in the streets photographing the huge public demonstrations after the controversial presidential election. 65 journalists and bloggers are currently reported to be held by the Iranian government, and others have fled the country seeking asylum in France. Internet bandwidth, use of satellite dishes and other media access is being severely limited in the lead up to the 31st anniversary observances of the 1979 Iranian revolution on February 11.

In the USA I still have the hard won rights of free speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press that our own revolution secured. That is not to say that my own government hasn't been sorely tempted to limit these rights for some or to allow chummy big business entities to buy up all the media outlets, or that it has been perfect in its toleration of political dissent. Several of its branches have been shown to have engaged in highly questionable covert practices over many years to disrupt and destroy dissenting groups, the most notorious and damaging to civil rights being the McCarthy era red baiting and the secret anti left Cointelpro efforts of the 60s through 80s.

Still, I can go out on any public sidewalk or street in my city and take a photograph of what's going on, even of police actions and political demonstrations, and post that photo to my blog without being hassled. People in disagreement with my views on things are still likely to defend my right to express those views, and I their opposing views. I am not afraid that a photo I post will bring someone to the door to arrest me. Amir is now in very grave danger for doing just that. Foreign journalists previously detained by the Iranian government for many months before being released confirm that they were beaten and coerced by Iranian authorities into making false confessions. We can support Amir's release through spreading the word to our friends, our government officials and the UN. Please keep him and his parents in your thoughts and prayers. He's just a young photographer and systems administrator who had the hobby of photoblogging his beautiful city and sharing his culture with us one day at a time. He and many other ordinary citizens have been overtaken by historic events in their country. They need our support, to know the world is watching. At some other time it could be you or me thrown into prison and facing who knows what consequence for doing what we do every day, taking photos. We ask for his safety and immediate release, along with the other 64 journalists and bloggers being held.

iPhone Wednesday #30: The Counter

It's bonus day, being iPhone Wednesday. Since Petrea of Pasadena Daily Photo is sharing an iPhone shot of the build it yourself gourmet burger restaurant, The Counter, in her fair city, I thought I'd show you the new Seattle installation next to Trader Joes in the Ballard Blocks complex that surrounds Edith Macefield's little house. The actual counter is beyond that divide, with full bar service and sports TV viewing. As you can see, the fries are well thought of :-). I had a veggie burger, and it was house made from identifiable veggies, and very yummy.