Previous | Next :: Harsh Light of Day : Appalachia : Virginia | November 20, 2010, 4:23 am

Well.... We were rolling back through Virginia ........ Things were going well...... so decided to stop and shoot some pictures ......... in retrospect this was a bad mistake ........

What was I thinking attempting to make pictures in a public space in Virginia ........ ? The cops were on us to sort that out very rapidly .......... Its always difficult to make pictures in a Police State and Virginia is no exception ........ Cops move in to stamp out the crime of photography....... they said they "had heard we had been shooting pictures?"....... I said nothing......... they checked our ID........ Matt did the talking..... his ID seemed to clear much more rapidly........ I was left wondering for minutes...... minutes that seemed like hours......... The four cops in their two cop cars seemed to know.......... I thought 'oh no ....... oh no...... they know........ they know I'm a photographer'........ the crime of photography is taken seriously in Virginia and the crime of actually being a photographer is taken very very seriously...........

They were whispering big time about me...... I think they may have suspected all along I was a photographer...... I had two cameras....... I had been caught taking photos........ well I had been caught with two cameras ....... I was thinking of giving them the full JC "its absolutely my right to make photos in a public place in America , even make pictures of them... if I wanted", but in the end..... I thought it best to remain completely silent and accept actually Virginia really is a police state...... and its up to them what is against the law......... they make it up and prosecute you for what ever takes their fancy...... Its like judge Dread...... I am the law!!!!!!!!

I am sitting silently resigned to my fate........ In the end if a cop in Virginia wants to prosecute you for taking a photo its up to them. After all a Police State is a Police State.

After what seemed like forever....... One of the cops leans into the car and says "I would be careful if i was you "....... in the manner of a TV gangster running a protection racket..........gives me back my ID....... Suffice to say we left town and made a break for the border..... out of Virginia as fast as we could..... Tennessee was the closest State line...... so we are here in Tennessee attempting to relax and put it behind us .........

Remember kids...... the Jezblog Motto : Stay safe....... don't do drugs......... and don't go to Virginia........... :-))

Cheers Jez XXXXXXXXXXX

Legal Statement : Jez Coulson is a professional adults and children should not attempt to try any of these stunts at home . Specific safety Warning : No one should attempt to go to Virginia without first seeking medical advice, advice from their lawyers and registering their travel plans with their Consulate officials. It is advisable to at all times stay out of Virginia.