EDL March / Protest

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GaryK26

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*** Firstly, I want to make it absolutely clear that I DO NOT support the EDL or what they stand for. ***

Anyway, they are reportedly planning a march / demonstration in Aylesbury at the start of May and I am contemplating the idea of going along and getting some reportage style pictures (obviously keeping my distance).

Am I insane?
Should I be concerned about my own safety?
Do I need to contact the police / local authorities in advance for clearance to be there with my camera?

Cheers
Gary
 
GaryK26 said:
*** Firstly, I want to make it absolutely clear that I DO NOT support the EDL or what they stand for. ***

Anyway, they are reportedly planning a march / demonstration in Aylesbury at the start of May and I am contemplating the idea of going along and getting some reportage style pictures (obviously keeping my distance).

Am I insane?
Should I be concerned about my own safety?
Do I need to contact the police / local authorities in advance for clearance to be there with my camera?

Cheers
Gary
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No, you're not insane. You don't need to contact either the police or any other authority to shoot, since you'll be in a public place.

As for your safety, well, that's up to you - you're an adult, and I'm sure you've seen what happens when demonstrations turn violent. Public order situations can be very volatile, and things can change very, very quickly. I've been there several times, and it's not pleasant at all.

Also, given that the last time I saw EDL out and about and half of them had their faces covered up, I wouldn't think they'll take too kindly to being photographed, but I'm sure some will be okay. Just be very careful and understand that if you're going to try and cover flashpoints, you are taking a risk.
 
GaryK26 said:
*** Firstly, I want to make it absolutely clear that I DO NOT support the EDL or what they stand for. ***

Anyway, they are reportedly planning a march / demonstration in Aylesbury at the start of May and I am contemplating the idea of going along and getting some reportage style pictures (obviously keeping my distance).

Am I insane?
Should I be concerned about my own safety?
Do I need to contact the police / local authorities in advance for clearance to be there with my camera?

Cheers
Gary
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If you're really going to keep your wits about you, you should be fine. Make sure your kit is insured before going though ;)

Just don't get in between them and UAF who will almost definitely be there as well.......people ended up in hospital last time they clashed!

Chris
 
Its not the EDL you want to be worried about its rent a mob sorry the UAF that cause the trouble. I was going in to Bolton to get some shots the other week but getting there wasn't easy as the center was cordoned off and police advising against it when I got to the cordon so turned round and came home. The town was terrified of what would happen and the EDL were very well behaved unlike the UAF.
 
Would it be sensible wearing some sort of hi-viz, or maybe something else quite visible stating that you are a photographer / journalist? (ie not recording for either side)
 
I've got some b/w negs somewhere of the St Paul's riots in the early 80's. Too many press there to sell the pic's though. Some good upside down burning car shots and I stood behind the kids chucking rocks - had some light stuff coming down from roofs though.

These days? It would be a laugh - I'd carry a small light body and lens and nothing else - a bag will slow you down. Keep your eyes open. But I suspect FIT would be more bother than any of the opposing groups.
 
Little John said:
Its not the EDL you want to be worried about its rent a mob sorry the UAF that cause the trouble. I was going in to Bolton to get some shots the other week but getting there wasn't easy as the center was cordoned off and police advising against it when I got to the cordon so turned round and came home. The town was terrified of what would happen and the EDL were very well behaved unlike the UAF.
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Ahh, UAF - being more fascist than the fascists since 2003 :lol: Interestingly enough in Bolton I believe about 50 UAF supporters were arrested, compared to 3 of the EDL they were protesting against!

Moral of the story is don't trust either side, regardless of what you think politically! Keep your wits about you, and be ready to get out of the way as quickly as possible!


Marcel said:
Would it be sensible wearing some sort of hi-viz, or maybe something else quite visible stating that you are a photographer / journalist? (ie not recording for either side)
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That's a good shout :thumbs:


I've been wanting to get some good shots of protests for a while....we nearly had one at uni, but the protest-causing debate was called off on the recommendation of the police as the NUS and UAF (surprise surprise) threatened a violent protest....
 
I live in Aylesbury, I have been thinking the same thing, but having spoken to someone who is involved with public safety, the advice is to avoid the town centre when this is happening.

I think there is going to be very heavy police presence, and wouldn't be surprised if there were cordoned off areas...if things get very bad, they will evacuate the town!
(I joke not!)
 
Doddy1974 said:
I live in Aylesbury
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My sympathies.

To the OP: I think the advice about being hi-viz is sensible but also bear in mind that if it does get a bit tasty the police will probably try and shunt you out of the way and/or stop you taking photos altogether.

And don't pick sides or get stuck in the middle!
 
as much as the advice here is sensible, i did the opposite and ended up in the middle of things at the SDL march in edinburgh.

did get some good shots, wear something light and trainers, i seemed to be running around lots but got some good shots from it!
 
onefunkypenguin said:
as much as the advice here is sensible, i did the opposite and ended up in the middle of things at the SDL march in edinburgh.

did get some good shots, wear something light and trainers, i seemed to be running around lots but got some good shots from it!
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How did that go? And do you have any shots from it? I'd like to see what kind of photos people get from these protests!

Chris
 
Marcel said:
Would it be sensible wearing some sort of hi-viz, or maybe something else quite visible stating that you are a photographer / journalist? (ie not recording for either side)
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I'm not sure about that - you might be giving the wrong sort of signals.

I expect some people go to specifically have a pop at people in uniform and these days the police are regularly wrapped up in day-glo.
 
Marcel said:
Would it be sensible wearing some sort of hi-viz, or maybe something else quite visible stating that you are a photographer / journalist? (ie not recording for either side)
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As a photojournalist myself, I would strongly advise against wearing anything that identifies you as a 'photographer / journalist' at EDL marches, as the EDL has been antagonistic and often violent to photojournalists. Just blend into the background and keep your distance.
 
There's a few things to know, from my experience when they came to Stoke.

  • Don't identify yourself as a photographer/photojournalist/press
  • Don't get between protestors and police lines.
  • Don't go anywhere near police dogs.
  • Don't get behind and startle police riot squads.
  • Don't antagonise anyone.
  • Take someone with you as a lookout. Be prepared to run.
  • Wear protective gear (I.E big jackets) - some photojournalist wear protective helmets.
  • Take a monopod to get cameras above action and better shots.
  • If your going to be shooting for anyone in particular, it's courtesy to inform police who you are when you get there. Not in sight of protestors though.
  • If the police say anything, do it straight away.
 
Well that told me :p
I didn't think identifying yourself as a photographer/journalist could have directly negative effect like that!
 
andrewstuart said:
There's a few things to know, from my experience when they came to Stoke.

  • Don't identify yourself as a photographer/photojournalist/press
  • Don't get between protestors and police lines.
  • Don't go anywhere near police dogs.
  • Don't get behind and startle police riot squads.
  • Don't antagonise anyone.
  • Take someone with you as a lookout. Be prepared to run.
  • Wear protective gear (I.E big jackets) - some photojournalist wear protective helmets.
  • Take a monopod to get cameras above action and better shots.
  • If your going to be shooting for anyone in particular, it's courtesy to inform police who you are when you get there. Not in sight of protestors though.
  • If the police say anything, do it straight away.
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Good advice there :thumbs: Welcome to the forums :)
 
Don't identify yourself as a photographer/photojournalist/press - Camera will give it away.

Don't get between protestors and police lines. - You get better Shots though

Don't go anywhere near police dogs. - They Bite.

Don't get behind and startle police riot squads. - Yeh, dont do that.

Don't antagonise anyone. - Except student looking types.

Take someone with you as a lookout. Be prepared to run. - You only need to run faster than your friend.

Wear protective gear (I.E big jackets) - some photojournalist wear protective helmets. - Shotgun, Kevlar Vest, couple of solid suggestions.

Take a monopod to get cameras above action and better shots. - Makes a good improvised pointy weapon.

If your going to be shooting for anyone in particular, it's courtesy to inform police who you are when you get there. Not in sight of protestors though. - Dont inform the Police if you are shooting someone in particular they might confiscate your gun, and yes; stay out of site of the protesters as they will run if they see your shooter.

If the police say anything, do it straight away. - I will get banned for life if i answer this one :naughty::naughty:
 
Some great advice there guys - thanks.

I'm in 2 minds about the hi-vis jacket, on one hand it would make me look somewhat official and on the other it could draw unwanted attention to me. I guess I kinda leaning towards not using hi-vis.

I was also unsure whether to take just camera & lens or a camera bag so I'd have the option of changing lens. But considering that I need to be a mobile as possible I'll just take the camera and one lens.

The question now is whether to use a 24-105 or 70-200.
70-200 would enable me to keep my distance a bit more than the 24-105, but again, it could draw more attention to me.
 
Having lived in Aylesbury for many years I would avoid it.

If the demo is held in the Market Square you are probably going to find yourself in a big crush (if the police let anyone near in the first place) in a relatively small place.

If held in Kingsbury Square the same applies.

All the streets leading to the town centre are small and usually very busy.

I would say avoid like the plague!

If you still decide to go the main parking spot is a multi storey car park near the railway station or there is a (Sainsbury's I believe) also near the station where you used to be able to park free for a couple of hours as long as you had a till receipt when you left - otherwise a fiver!

.
 
Here are some shots from the latest march in London on Saturday.

http://www.demotix.com/news/336397/edl-march-through-london

This was relatively peaceful but there are times, such as in Bolton, when things can deteriorate quickly.

http://www.demotix.com/news/281818/english-defence-league-rally-bolton

http://www.demotix.com/news/281291/uaf-protest-against-edl-bolton

As long as you are aware of what is going on around you all the time you should be ok. The police can and will clamp down and may record you and try to limit your work so just be prepared, especially if the EDL decide to kick off. A great video by Jason Parkinson highlights the continuing police surveillance of journalists documenting political dissent in the UK.

http://londonphotographers.org/tag/hostile-reconnaissance/
 
Voyager said:
But I suspect FIT would be more bother than any of the opposing groups.
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Alexmilantracy said:
The police can and will clamp down and may record you and try to limit your work so just be prepared, especially if the EDL decide to kick off. A great video by Jason Parkinson highlights the continuing police surveillance of journalists documenting political dissent in the UK.

http://londonphotographers.org/tag/hostile-reconnaissance/
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Blimey! I was only being rather cynical in my comment from my own experiences of dealing with the Man back in the 80's.

This is downright depressing. FIT looks like the thugs from the SPG with a new name. :(
 
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