"Photojournalists, documentary filmmakers and live-streamers have contacted me to say that that they are experiencing less tolerance by the police and more oppression, whist collecting evidence and imagery of social change..."
Oldham-based documentary photographer, Peter Yankowski-Walker, believes that his arrest and subsequent charge of 'obstructing a public highway' was a political act – and part of a growing trend by the state to target those collecting footage of protests; particularly anti-fracking protests.
Yankowski-Walker has a Masters degree in International Photojournalism, documented the Barton Moss anti-fracking protests in Salford and has provided photos for an array of community centred publications including the Big Issue and Salford Star.
He was arrested on 28th February while photographing a demonstration outside AE Yates, in Horwich, which supplies Cuadrilla with a drilling pad for their controversial fracking scheme in Lancashire. Despite almost being knocked down by one of the firm's trucks, he was charged with 'obstructing a public highway', and held in a prison cell for ten hours.
At a subsequent appearance at Bolton Magistrates Court, police presented the criminal record of another man as Yankowski-Walker's, a mistake they later admitted. Yet the same incorrect criminal record was presented at a second court date in Manchester nine days later. Peter Yankowski-Walker does not have a criminal record.
"The judge demanded the Crown Prosecution Service remove the wrongful criminal record from my file - but he decided to take my case to a full day's trial, using as evidence against me body cam footage from four directions" says Peter Yankowski-Walker "This was pushed forward by two representatives from the Crown Prosecution Services."
During the police interview after the arrest, Yankowski-Walker says police tried to coerce him into admitting guilt; and claims this excessive form of policing is part of a Government-led attack on protest and suppression of information surrounding fracking...
"I am trying not to be paranoid, but when sat in a dock after not even committing a crime, and to see the effort to prosecute someone for something so trivial is mind blowing and a waste of taxpayers' money; especially as the incident was live-streamed and completely backs up my statement" he says
"Independent photographers and film-makers are seeing a trend unfolding, as in the last few months the police have stepped up their arrest rates on anti-frackers" he explains "Valued footage has helped cases to clarify that no wrongdoing occurred and it seems now, those who document and provide evidence are being targeted too.
"Photojournalists, documentary filmmakers and live-streamers have contacted me to say that that they are experiencing less tolerance by the police and more oppression, whist collecting evidence and imagery of social change" he adds "I feel that my case is being treated more seriously because of the links with documenting the protest against hydraulic fracturing than it would be if it was another subject.
"I feel that unrestricted social documentary photography gives a balanced view of contemporary social history as it unfolds" he insists "...a perspective that is essential to freedom of expression and democracy."
Peter Yankowski-Walker is due to be appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Monday 15th May.
* The Salford Star contacted Greater Manchester Police for a comment. GMP responded: "We would not be able to comment on cases in the court process."
.jpg)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
(3).jpeg)
.png)
(1).JPG)
