The Right To Take Pics In Public
ACLU Hawaii and the state settle a First Amendment dispute over snapping photos聽of airplanes near Honolulu International.
An amateur photographer was cited by a state sheriff for taking pictures of airplanes from a public sidewalk along Lagoon Drive, which is near Honolulu International Airport, without a permit.
But ACLU Hawaii said no permit was聽needed because the incident took place in a聽public area trafficked聽by joggers, tourists聽and even聽amateur photographers.
On Tuesday, the ACLU and the state reached agreement on the聽matter, stating that there is a聽First Amendment right of individuals to take photographs in public.
The sheriffs will be informed of the agreement and聽Hawaii Administrative Rules amended.
Bronson Avila of the Law Offices of Brook Hart said in a press release, 鈥淭he Attorney General鈥檚 prompt response reflects a commitment to First Amendment rights. Furthermore, the State avoided a lawsuit and saved taxpayers a significant expense. We could not envision a better outcome to this incident.鈥
Said Daniel Gluck, ACLU of Hawaii Legal Director, 鈥淚t鈥檚 important that the State made clear the fundamental right of an individual to photograph in public. This is a win for freedom of speech and expression.”
