Photographers attacked, and not by police

TWO PHOTOGRAPhERS who were assaulted at the climate camp in south east London in September are demanding an apology from the organisers, and the NUJ is backing them.

There was no trouble with police, who kept a low profile. Instead two regular frontline photographers, Marc Vallee and Jonathan Warren, were assaulted by private citizens. Jonathan Warren was kicked in the stomach.

He said: “As we were leaving climate camp we found a group of people arguing. As we went in to take photographs some of them turned their attention to us, shouting that we had not asked their permission. One young man tried to grab Marc’s camera.

“I stepped in shouting ‘oi’ and the man took a step back and kicked me hard in the stomach.”

Self-rule for photographers

A NEW NUJ branch is to be set up for photographers who live or work in London. It’s the first time members have been organised into a metro­politan branch on the basis of the job they do, rather than the sector of the industry they work in.

The change was proposed by a meeting of photographer activists in London in July.

Michelle Stanistreet, Deputy General Secretary, said: “The London Photographers Branch will be all about giving members the opportunity to campaign on the issues that matter to them. Whether it’s fighting cutbacks, highlighting the problems of covering public events or standing up for copyright, this new branch will give London photographers a chance to make their voices heard.”

Photographers in London will have the choice to transfer to the new branch or stay in their current one.