The South Florida Gay News (SFGN), along with the South Florida chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, is suing the city of Fort Lauderdale and Chief of Police Frank Adderley. The lawsuit challenges a ban on all amateur or professional photography within several hundred yards of the filming of the Hollywood movie Rock of Ages.
South Florida attorneys Norm Kent (who is also the publisher of SFGN) and Russell Cormican of Kent & Cormican PA filed the lawsuit June 14.
“What we're asking for is a declaratory judgment that for the city to restrict access on a public street is illegal. The police have posted a sign that says it is illegal to trespass on public property,” said Kent. “I'm asking for a judge to answer an order saying that's just not so. I'm asking the judge to rule that the police have acted illegally.”
According to a SFGN media release, Fort Lauderdale police have told at least two professional photographers they cannot shoot from a public area, and the policy precludes anyone from taking pictures, even as they dine at restaurants that are within a city block of Revolution, the nightclub movie producers have rented for the past few weeks.
“We're waiting for an emergency hearing now,” said SFGN managing editor Jason Parsley. “We're at the mercy of the judicial system.”
In the meantime, they plan to stage a protest June 17 by going to the location, eating lunch at area restaurants then breaking the rules.
“We're going to take out our cameras and start taking pictures in violation of the signage,” said Parsley.
Reportedly, police haven't arrested or cited anyone for taking photos.
