FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. NOVEMBER 15, 1998
NATIONWIDE PROTEST AGAINST SURVEILLANCE WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY:
Destruction of privacy and dignity by corporate chains to become a target of
ordinary citizens.
An international coalition that includes artists, scientists, engineers,
scholars, and others is declaring December 24, 1998 to be "ShootBack Day"
(National Accountability Day).
THE SHOT SEEN AROUND THE WORLD:
At noon on Thursday, December 24, ordinary people all over the world will
protest the growing and dehumanizing effects of increased video surveillance in
various department stores and other similar organizations that use video
surveillance. As high noon sweeps past various time zones, the shot heard
around the world will be that of clicking cameras.
Rather than protesting by carrying signs, or by marching, citizens will protest
by going on shooting sprees. Armed with their own photographic or videographic
cameras and recording devices, ordinary citizens will dish out some
accountability.
HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?
All you need to do is bring a camera --- any camera --- to a place where video
surveillance is used.
HOW WILL I KNOW WHO I SHOULD SHOOT?
Taking pictures of the surveillance cameras will cause models to appear very
quickly for you to photograph. When you point your camera at their cameras, the
officials watching their television monitors will very quickly dispatch the
models for you to shoot. This is a universal phenomenon that happens in nearly
any large organization where video surveillance is used. Models often carry
two--way radios and wear navy blue uniforms with special badges. Most will be
eager to pose close to your camera, especially the hand models. They will reach
out and place their hands over your camera lens so you can get a closup hand
shot.
RATIONALE:
We are all accountable for our actions. The Bigs keep us under surveillance,
whether we're just walking down the street, shopping, or sometimes even when
we're changing clothes in their fitting rooms (Phil Patton, Jan. '95, WiReD).
That's why Thursday, December 24th is National Accountability Day. This is the
day to arm yourself with a camera, or other photographic or videographic
instrumentation, and enter various department stores, and other establishments
that match the classic definition of totalitarian (e.g. establishments that
wish to know everything about everyone yet reveal nothing about themselves).
Examples of totalitarian establishments are those in which we are placed under
extensive video surveillance, yet we are prohibited from taking pictures
ourselves. The goal of National Accountability Day is to challenge this
one-sided aspect of Totalitarian Surveillance.
Participants will also photograph or make videos of any illegal activity they
happen to encounter in these totalitarian establishments. Evidence of illegal
activity includes fire exits chained shut, and other forms of entrapment,
forcible confinement doors, and the like, which are potential fire hazards.
It is preferable that groups of citizens participate in unison, to prevent, or
at least document illegal theft or vandalism of photographic equipment by the
Bigs.
When we ask why we are under video surveillance, we are told by the Bigs that
``only criminals are afraid of cameras'', or we are asked ``why are you so
paranoid''. Now is the time to allow the Bigs to define themselves.
The camera is Hamlet's Mirror, allowing the Bigs to define themselves within a
Reflectionist context.
SHOOT AUTHORITY FIRST
QUESTION AUTHORITY LATER.
(SHOOT FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER)
_________________________________________________________________
KEEP YOUR PICTURES FOR THE SHOOTINGBACK CONTEST TO BE ANNOUNCED EARLY NEXT
YEAR.
_________________________________________________________________
Research papers and other references on Video Surveillance:
* Cultural criticism: http://wearcam.org/art.html
* The wearable camera (how to go on a lifelong shooting spree):
Proceedings of the IEEE, Vol. 82, No. 11,
http://wearcam.org/procieee.html
* Privacy and Wearable Computers; McLuhan Culture and Technology
Keynote Address: http://wearcam.org/mcluhan-keynote.html
* Smart clothing: Turning the tables: http://wearcam.org/acm-mm96/
(how wearable technologies can protect privacy and freedom)
_________________________________________________________________
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