I am American/New York born of Iranian descent…not to minimize the curtailing of personal freedoms there but even in Iran I’ve brought my video camera several times over the last 15 years and have only been asked to stop by the committee (their street police) one time. I can’t believe how New York has changed over the years.
The New York I love, the one I was born and raised in, is fast disappearing.
(excerpt, complete letter after the jump)

To: Picture New York

I hope all these efforts prove to be successful. I’ve seen a lot of
posts and public debate calling these new rules “fair” and saying these
protestations regarding new restrictions are alarmist. Most of them don’t
think this affects students, visiting people, independent artists,
or just regular folk. They think this is for huge movie companies who
block off the sides of the streets to pedestrians and set up tons of
c-stands and lights.
I read stuff like …why shouldn’t they get a
permit when they are making thousands of dollars off their still or
moving images…it is only fair.. Crazy posts like that.

I don’t think they really get that this effects the small fries…those big companies are the ones who already get permits and have teamsters and have millions of dollars for insurance. Independent filmmakers and photographers have a hard enough time scraping together money to buy equipment for capturing and editing…and as far as making thousands of dollars…show me the money? I write grants in efforts to fund some of my work, sometimes with little success, but basically I just keep documenting.

I am American/New York born of Iranian descent…not
to minimize the curtailing of personal freedoms there but even in Iran I’ve brought my video camera several times over the last 15 years and have only been asked to stop by the committee (their street police) one time.

I can’t believe how New York has changed over the years.
The New York I love, the one I was born and raised in, is fast
disappearing.

thanks again for all you hard work. Glad someone is wide awake.

peace,
Dana Eshghi