Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYCLU Files Suit To Protect Photographer's Rights
By
Jen Carlson
Published Apr 23, 2010
Modified Apr 23, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Apr 23, 2010
Modified Apr 23, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
29-year-old Antonio Musumeci isn't the only one who's been hassled by The Man for photographing near a federal building in New York, but he is behind the latest lawsuit being filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union. The organization says citizens should not be prohibited to photograph while standing in public spaces near such buildings. The Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Protective Service, an unnamed federal officer, and Inspector Clifford Barnes of the Federal Protective Service are all named in the suit, which was filed in Manhattan yesterday.
According to CityRoom, the software developer from New Jersey was on a lunch break filming a libertarian advocate protesting outside of the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Federal Courthouse in Manhattan in 2009. Both the protester and Musumeci were arrested, and the officers confiscated the camera's memory card. He was also given a ticket for "violating the regulation barring photography," a charge that was dismissed in March.
The NYCLU would like to see federal officials barred from harassing photographers near federal buildings... but considering the NYPD has trouble remembering that photography is even allowed in subways, this may be a pipe dream.
Tagged
Antonio Musumeci
federal buildings
lawsuit
nyclu
photographer
photographer's rights
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man killed in police-involved shooting in Moonachie, NJ
A New Jersey state trooper was involved in the incident Wednesday, according to the New Jersey attorney general's office.
By
Kaya Laterman
Published Oct 28, 2026 at 9:06 p.m. ET
Queens man took girlfriend’s body to beach in a wagon, where it remained for 5 days
Seraphina Pereira was found in a shallow grave at Rockaway Community Park. Rogelio Lozano-Garita pleaded not guilty to murder on Wednesday.
By
Charles Lane
News
Queens man took girlfriend’s body to beach in a wagon, where it remained for 5 days
Seraphina Pereira was found in a shallow grave at Rockaway Community Park. Rogelio Lozano-Garita pleaded not guilty to murder on Wednesday.
By
Charles Lane
Mamdani extends NYC racial equity leader's term after Council pushes back on replacement
By
Elizabeth Kim
Woman charged with federal hate crimes after allegedly stabbing 2 Jewish men in NYC
By
Giulia Heyward
Ex-NYPD sergeant sentenced to 4-12 years in deadly drunken Taconic crash
By
Charles Lane
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .