NY cops sued for ‘harassing’ Indian-origin student

Claiming that Wiita had been targeted because of the “colour of his skin”, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) says the NYPD has a history of harassing photographers, particularly those who fit certain ethnic profiles.

Wiita, who has sought compensatory damages, alleges that he was detained in upper Manhattan shortly after he embarked on a planned 10-day project of photographing all 468 subway stations and their surrounding streetscapes.

Though he explained his project to the officer and showed him his Columbia identification but the officer handcuffed him and made him stand on a busy street corner for a half an hour, it is alleged.

“I was surprised and upset that I could be handcuffed on the street for taking a photograph,” Wiita said. “What was really disheartening was that I knew this had probably happened before and that it could happen again to anyone.”