Hotel Staff Take Photojournalists' Cameras In Cairo -Inc Incredible Pics He Took Of Tahrir Sq Battle

[Turborama]

(I saw a scene like this - thuggish "hotel staff" trying to take a Canadian cameraman's camera - on a video on AJ English but haven't been able to find it yet)

Meredith Birkett writes: Photojournalist Ron Haviv spent the day photographing the clashes in and around Tahrir Square in Cairo, working despite many reports of journalist being arrested, or worse, being attacked and having gear smashed by protesters or police. He said he was able to keep working by trying to avoid anyone who looked like an authority figure.


Haviv managed to leave the square safely by traveling in a pack of anti-government protesters, who helped him avoid being singled out by pro-government groups. Pro-government forces have been attacking journalists based on a perception that the media is sympathetic to the anti-government side.

He arrived safely at his hotel, but that’s when trouble began. The hotel staff took his camera gear, and the equipment of other journalists staying in the hotel. The hotel staffers said they were instituting a new policy that does not allow anyone to photograph from the building's balconies.

Despite the challenges, Haviv filed images from today. But will he work tomorrow? It’s not clear when or if he’ll get his gear back.

From: http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/03/5982769-hotel-staff-take-photojournalists-cameras-in-cairo

For a moment, opposing protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square stop to talk, embrace and even cry in the midst of violent clashes between
pro- and anti-Mubarak groups. But the moment was fleeting. Minutes later, the rock throwing began again.


The moment of peace between the opposing sides was fleeting. Soon, someone lobbed another rock and "everything broke loose again,"
said photojournalist Ron Haviv


Photojournalist Ron Haviv said clashes between opposing protest groups were less violent and numerous on Thursday than the day before.
The anti-government protesters gained territory on Wednesday in part because there were fewer pro-Mubarak supporters on the scene.


After two days and nights of clashes between government groups who are fighting over the continuing rule by the Hosni Mubarak regime,
the streets are littered with rocks from clashes that overnight looked like a "medieval battle" according to photojournalist Ron Haviv.

[Historic NY]

1. Holy crap look at all those rocks.

[EFerrari]

2. The protesters have been sweeping the street clean every day

so, yeah, look at all those rocks. :(

[Canuckistanian]

3. Wow

I heard reports about "rock throwing", but I never imagined it was that bad.

[Turborama]

4. Some pics of photjournalists on the frontline...

Press photographers, including Associated Press photographer Khalil Hamra, left, take cover as they work during clashes in Cairo on
Thursday, Feb. 3. Another day of heavy gunfire and clashes erupted around dusk in Tahrir Square, while new looting and arson spread
around the capital. Gangs of thugs supporting President Hosni Mubarak attacked reporters, foreigners, and human rights workers while
the army rounded up foreign journalists. (Sebastian Scheiner / AP)



Two foreign photographers take cover as they work to photograph clashes between protesters in downtown Cairo on Thursday, Feb. 3.
(Khalil Hamra / AP)

From: http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/03/5981522-journalists-attacked-by-mobs-detained-in-cairo

[justiceischeap]

5. That woman in the last picture came prepared... helmet and goggles. nt

[Turborama]

7. Yeah, good point. Also, it looks like the 2nd pic was possibly taken by Khalil Hamra in the 1st pic

Which is a story in and of itself.

I've just got my 1st pro camera and really look up to these guys.

I'm not sure if I'd go looking to get myself involved in a war zone like that, but if I was in the right time at the right place I'd definitely go for it.

[malaise]

6. Wow!

K & R