New York Press Photographers Association Statement on the detaining and arresting credentialed members of the media who were covering the Occupy Wall Street protest on November 15th

The New York Press Photographers Association strongly protests the aggressive and repressive actions of the New York City Police Department in detaining and arresting credentialed members of the media who were covering the Occupy Wall Street protest on November 15th.The Constitutional guarantee of a free press was trampled upon by the abuse of authority exercised by the NYPD.

The actions of the Police Department violate the First Amendment and deny the public a fair and impartial reporting of events the country and world are watching. The brash manner in which  police officers ordered journalists off the streets and interfered with their ability to report the news is outrageous.  This Association strongly urges the NYPD to drop all charges against accredited members of the media and investigate these incidents and make assurances it won't happen again.

David Pokress
President