This guy, Keith, tried to take some photos in LA and ended up harassed by the police for violating the “9/11 law” that no one really seems to know or understand.

Him: Hey! It’s against the 9-11 Law to take pictures down hear man!
Me: You mean the Patriot Act?
Him: No pictures.
Me: Could you explain? What law do you mean?
Him: You are lawyer?
Me: No.
Him: No pictures. You could be a terrorist. Very strict!
Me: How about I take a picture of you?
Him: F**k you…(I couldn’t believe it either)
He then proceeded to huddle in the corner and speak into his radio. Next thing I knew, a booming female voice very loudly announced over the loudspeaker “Attention to the gentleman in the plaid shirt: You are not allowed to take photographs in the Subway. You will be arrested if you continue to take photos and harrass the metro worker.”
I was incensed/surprised/embarrassed/horrified/bewildered. People started staring.
Then the voice continued: “The gentleman in the plaid shirt: You must approach the callbox near the escalators and speak to the sheriff.” I didn’t budge. So she said it again, this time louder…
“Okay” I thought, I’ll play along…I went up to the callbox and pushed the button. A new voice this time, this one male, boomed out and said, “Why are you taking photographs sir?”
Me: “What law am I breaking?”
Voice: “You can’t take pictures sir, we don’t know why you are taking pictures.”
Me: “Well what about the commercials I’ve seen filming down here?”
Voice:” They have permits sir”
Me: “Well maybe I should get a permit, but I really don’t think I need one for taking a cell phone picture…”
Voice (now mockingly): Well maybe you should go and get a permit sir.”
Me: “What law am I breaking, why can’t you tell me? It’s is NOT illegal to take a picture down here.”
Voice: “It is in this station.” Then silence. He hung up.

Similar incidents are happening elsewhere and we should never put up with it.