(Quebec) A photojournalist who waited on the sidewalk for the right light to capture the perfect image of the famous Château Frontenac received a $230 fine for loitering, in addition to ending up handcuffed in the back of a vehicle. Quebec police patrol.
The Canadian Association of Journalists (ACJ) says it is “dismayed” by this event and demands an apology from the Quebec City Police Service (SPVQ).
“When things like this happen in a distant country, we say: ‘OK, it could happen in North Korea or China,’” says photojournalist John Morris. But when in Canada a police officer gives a citizen a ticket while he is simply taking photos in a public space, there is something wrong. »
This photographer from Prince Edward Island was in Quebec to capture some photos of Old Quebec. Mr. Morris occasionally produces press photos for Reuters, the Globe and Mail or for the QMI Agency. But he also makes calendars or puzzles with his most beautiful photos. This is precisely why he was in Quebec on Tuesday.
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY JOHN MORRIS
The photographer waited for the clouds to cover more of the sky near Château Frontenac. Here is one of his photos taken on Tuesday.
The man went in front of the United States consulate on a sidewalk with a bird’s eye view of the Castle. “I was putting together a composition for Château Frontenac, but I was missing a few clouds in the photo. I knew they were coming, and I just had to wait,” Mr. Morris said.
Suddenly, a security officer from the consulate came to see him, according to the version the photographer gave to The Press. He allegedly told him that he was not allowed to take photos here.
I told him that it was a sidewalk, a public space, and that I had the right.
John Morris, about the US consulate security officer
A few minutes later, SPVQ police officers arrived. The SPVQ confirms having received a call Tuesday around noon reporting “a suspicious person near the American consulate”. Spokesperson Sandra Dion, however, cannot say where the call came from and in particular whether it came from the consulate.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESS
John Morris was carrying his tripod and waiting for the perfect light when police arrested him.
“Once there, the police notice an infraction under municipal regulations,” explains M.me Dion, or “having loitered, wandered or slept in a street or public place without reasonable cause”.
Handcuffed and searched
The man’s camera is pointed towards the Castle. He explains to the police officer that he is waiting for the right moment to capture his photo. “I asked: Isn’t this a public sidewalk? » The police ask him to identify himself. He refuses and asks them if he is under arrest.
When I saw where it was going, I just told the police that I was going to start filming, they told me to put my hands behind my back.
John Morris, photographer
“From the moment the person is in violation, they must identify themselves, and if the person refuses, we must arrest them to identify them under the Code of Criminal Procedure,” explains M.me Dion.
Asked whether a photographer waiting on the sidewalk is in violation, “loitering” and whether he should receive a ticket, the SPVQ spokesperson did not want to come forward. “Monsieur has the right to a full defense,” said Sandra Dion.
The photographer was handcuffed, searched and placed in the back of a patrol vehicle.
Ironically, it was while I was in the back of the SUV explaining to the police about my job as a photographer that the clouds arrived!
John Morris, photographer
The man was released with a $230 fine for loitering. He has already pleaded not guilty and intends to defend his rights in court.
“In Canada, as long as you are in public space, you can take photos of whatever you want,” says Mr. Morris. “I’m 100% sure the police were doing this because the consulate didn’t want me there. The policeman told me at the end that the consulate was afraid that I would aim my lens inside the consulate. But my lens was a 55mm, it’s tiny. »
“And it’s a Canadian sidewalk, last I heard!” », says the man.
“Scandalous”
The Canadian Association of Journalists believes that the police intervention against Mr. Morris went beyond the limits.
“The fact that Mr. Morris was detained, handcuffed and searched by the police because his lens, which was not even equipped with a zoom, allegedly could have seen inside the American consulate in Quebec is scandalous and defies the limits of credulity,” protests ACJ president Brent Jolly.
“We hope that Mr. Morris’ ticket for ‘wanton loitering’ will be quashed and that an apology will be made for the heinous violation of his fundamental rights,” added Mr. Jolly.
Called to comment on the situation, the United States consulate in Quebec did not respond to The Press at the time of publishing.