During an Occupy Wall Street meeting today, disgruntled Occupiers prevented a photojournalist from covering their gathering.
Wall Street Journal photographer Rob Bennett attempted to photograph a Jail Support meeting meant to prepare for potential arrests at Thursday’s Day of Action, when one man who was opposed to being snapped prompted others to block Bennett’s camera.
Approximately 10 to 12 members blocked his camera with their bodies, clothing, and even shined a flashlight into his lens.
Bennett pleaded with members not to obstruct his First Amendment right.
“Just respect they don’t want to be photographed,” replied a member of the group. “They’ve just been through a traumatic experience.”
Some protesters echoed this hostility in Zuccotti Park, where a group of protesters accosted a Metro reporter and said, “We’re not going to talk to the press. You’re the reason we’re in this situation.”
