Charges dropped for Charlottetown photographer fined for ‘loitering without purpose’ in Quebec
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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A Charlottetown photographer who was handcuffed, detained and fined $230 for loitering with out objective whereas taking pictures of a lodge on a public sidewalk in Quebec Metropolis has had his fines dropped.
John Morris was taking pictures of the Chateau Frontenac, which is close to the U.S. consulate on Nov. 2, when police have been known as to ask him to go away. He was later detained and fined.
The photographer reached out to the Crown in Quebec through electronic mail for disclosure on Nov. 14, looking for details about the explanation behind the tremendous. He was then knowledgeable that the fees have been going to be dropped.
Morris stated he noticed it coming.
“To be sincere, I wasn’t shocked. I knew it was a matter of when not if. So, I knew that that will be coming.”
After being detained and fined on Nov. 2, Morris went to the police station in Quebec Metropolis to file a grievance. The officer knowledgeable him that somebody from the U.S. consulate had known as them as a result of he had lingered on the sidewalk for too lengthy.
The officer advised Morris he was in U.S. territory and that the consulate would not tolerate individuals taking pictures across the constructing that may present the within.
“Police shouldn’t be inflicting any points for peple taking pictures on a public sidewalk. In the event you’re doing nothing fallacious, the police shouldn’t be there insisting you do one thing.” – John Morris
Morris stated it nonetheless doesn’t make sense to him as he was on a public sidewalk. He says he has obtained a number of messages from internationally, together with from some cops and legal professionals who’ve proven him help. Nonetheless, he stated he has but to listen to from the Quebec Metropolis police, who he believes owe him an apology.
“We’re people, we make errors. It is what we do. However you must reside up and personal your errors,” he stated.
“Police shouldn’t be inflicting any points for individuals taking pictures on a public sidewalk. In the event you’re doing nothing fallacious, the police shouldn’t be there insisting you do one thing. It is overreaching. I’ve the utmost respect for cops. However they should not solely defend us as residents, however they should defend our rights as residents.”
Vivian Ulinwa is a reporter with SaltWire in Prince Edward Island. She could be reached by electronic mail at [email protected] and adopted on X @vivian_ulinwa.
