FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INFO: http://wearcam.org/shootback.html
NATIONWIDE PROTEST AGAINST SURVEILLANCE WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY:
An international coalition that includes artists, scientists, engineers,
scholars, and others is declaring
December 24, 1998 to be "ShootBack Day" (National Accountability Day).
THE SHOT SEEN AROUND THE WORLD:
At noon on Thursday, December 24, ordinary people all over the world will
protest the growing and dehumanizing effects of increased video surveillance
in various department stores and other organizations that use video
surveillance. As high noon sweeps past various time zones,
the shot heard around the world will be that of clicking cameras.
Rather than protesting by carrying signs, or by marching, citizens will
protest by going on shooting sprees. Armed with their own photographic or
videographic cameras and recording devices, ordinary citizens will
dish out some accountability.
HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?
All you need to do is bring a camera --- any camera --- to a place
where video surveillance is used.
HOW WILL I KNOW WHO I SHOULD SHOOT?
Taking pictures of the surveillance cameras will cause models to appear
very quickly for you to photograph. When you point your camera at their
cameras, the officials watching their television monitors will very
quickly dispatch the models for you to shoot. This is a universal
phenomenon that happens in nearly any large organization where
video surveillance is used. Models often carry two--way radios and
wear navy blue uniforms with special badges. Most will be eager to pose
close to your camera, especially the hand models. They will reach out and
place their hands over your camera lens so you can get a closup hand shot.
RATIONALE:
We are all accountable for our actions.
Big Brother keeps us under surveillance, whether
we're just walking down the street, shopping, or sometimes
even when we're changing clothes in their fitting rooms
(Phil Patton, Jan. '95, WiReD).
That's why Thursday, December 24th is National Accountability Day.
This is the day to arm yourself with a camera, or other photographic or
videographic instrumentation, and enter various department stores, and
other establishments that match the classic definition of totalitarian
(e.g. establishments that wish to know everything about everyone yet reveal
nothing about themselves).
Examples of totalitarian establishments are those in which
we are placed under extensive video surveillance, yet we are prohibited
from taking pictures ourselves. The goal of National Accountability Day is
to challenge this one-sided aspect of Totalitarian Surveillance.
It is preferable that groups of citizens participate in unison,
to prevent, or at least document theft or vandalism of photographic
equipment by Big Brother's representatives.
When we ask why we are under video surveillance, we are told by the Big
Brother representatives that ``only criminals are afraid of cameras'',
or we are asked ``why are you so paranoid''. Now is the time to allow
Big Brothers to define themselves.
Shoot Authority First
Question Authority Later.
(Shoot first, ask questions later)
Keep your pictures for the ShootingBack contest to be announced early
next year.
Research papers and other references on Video Surveillance,
Privacy Issues, and the use of Personal Intelligence devices,
or just plain ordinary cameras as tools
for self-defense (photographic media as protective elements):