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Feb222008

Nashua students protest for teachers

Filed under General, Photojournalism, journalism by bob hammerstrom at 12:18 pm


Nashua students protest for teachers, originally uploaded by Nashua Telegraph.

A photo and video shoot ended quickly for me this morning at Nashua High
School North, as I was asked to leave school property by the principal
after videotaping students protesting outside the school. They were
there early, toting signs in support of the teachers who are negotiating
a new contract with the city. Our newspaper was invited by the students,
and we check out their Facebook forum out before going to see what they
would be up to.

They were very organized and quickly gravitated to my video camera, not
having a clue as to who I was or where I worked. I try not to identify
myself right away in events like this, so that the subjects will go
about their business as if I’m not there. But they quickly started to
wave and say “Hi mom” into the camera, as if on stage.

One of the female students asked me to leave, saying the group would
then go to class. But was that the case? Where they only there to be
videotaped? Many were saying they would be on t.v. I just let them do
their thing. And I explained to the girl that I would stay there as long
as the kids were protesting, unless I was asked to leave by an
administrator.

Well, it wasn’t long (actually about two minutes after I arrived) that
the principal and a school police officer asked me to leave the
property. Out of respect, I did. But did the students go to class when
the camera was put away? Some did, and others stayed to continue the
picket.

It’s too bad video or t.v. camera become a magnet for people. It’s not
just kids. I’ve seen many adults act in unusual ways once the camera is
pointed at them. As visual journalists, we strive to capture people and
events in a natural way, not encouraging or discouraging the subjects,
or directing them in any way. I usually put the camera down, or point in
another direction, when people smile for the camera, or wave. Who taught
them how to do that anyway?

Check out a video of the protest on nashuatelegraph.com
–Bob Hammerstrom

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Viewing 21 Comments

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    The students that you witnessed rallying were not those who were actually involved. They did not show up early and protest. They came later and took signs that were on the ground. They barely even knew any of the situation that was going on. The real people involved showed up at 6:30, not five minutes before the bell. The real people involved went to class so they weren't causing a disruption. Had you shown up on time, you would ahve seen that and been able to acknowledge it. The kids that you saw were using the rally to get out of class. They don't care if they get another detention. They don't care about the school. You were asked to leave because you were keeping the students from class. You would not have been asked to leave if you were there when the real rallying was going on.

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    Talk about bias journalism.

    First of all, you should get your facts straight because we never had a forum on myspace. i am guessing you were referring to the FACEBOOK event that was posted?


    Most of the signs they are holding were made by me, and these students took with without permission.


    When my fellow organizers and I approached you and told you that these were not the real protesters, not only did you act rudely, you have now deliberately written lies even though you knew exactly what was going on.


    Good job Bob.

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    You came after school had started. Why couldn't you come when the real supporters were outside? These students seen in the picture will do anything to get out of class, including stand in front of the school holding signs for something they have no idea about.


    This gives the idea to the people of Nashua that the students were an uproar of random kids with no idea. We were organized. We showed up at 6:30. We made signs and welcomed those who meant so much to us. How can you be so cruel to misrepresent a group of students trying to show moral support?


    I'm not impressed

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    It's too bad that a bunch of really good kids got together days ago to organize what they wanted to be a very "civil" protest. They contacted the Telegraph and the Union Leader (who by the way, was there on time) with specific times and goals and your camera man showed up late. That being said your whole story is wrong as are your pictures. You were contatced by one of the "real students" later who also shared "real" pictures and my hope is that tommorrow's story will include and recognize the students that went to alot of trouble to do this thing in a way that was meant to be respectful and meaningful.

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    I dont think that having a photo/video shoot was the thing that these students needed. I surely do not see how this has helped the teachers, nurses and others fighting for a fair contract.


    Students communicating with each other, okay; But, to walk around with signs? who are you there to "picket"?


    Send a signed petition to the City. In that, state your argument and have students sign their names.

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    Did anyone see that students were covering the protest live on channel 99?

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    We were SUPPORTING our teachers. In that respect, we were more successful than we could have hoped for.


    And there is a petition for students to sign. This petition was brought to the protest so students could sign it.


    http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/supportNTU/

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    As a citizen of Nashua in addition to a co-organizer of the REAL protest, I am completely DISGUSTED with the attitude, comments, and overall presence of this so-called "visual journalist".


    Not only were your facts incorrect, I must say that your lack of professionalism was truly a shock, considering you represent one of the biggest papers in Southern New Hampshire.


    Why you arrived after the bell is beyond me. However, after we clearly addressed you on the issue of photographing/taping the wrong kids, I was appalled with your sarcastic and negative comments such as, "Why don't you just go in to class?" I'm almost appalled to say that I'm enrolled in the same school as those kids who CLEARLY were not part of our peaceful, sophisticated group of over 60 who arrived between 6:30 - 6:40.


    Most "journalists" would know to get their facts straight to begin with. Although we may be high schoolers, this does not in any way mean that we should be spoken to the way you spoke to us, Mr. Hammerstrom.


    Not only am I disgusted to say that I once enjoyed reading this paper, I will now think twice about every "fact" I read from The Telegraph after your blatant ignorance displayed this morning.


    Thank you for showing me the lack of respect and composure that you represent. I will consider this every instance I merely glance at The Telegraph.

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    I was at the school at 6:15 ready to show the city of Nashua this great group of students who support their teachers. I was with a crew and we were on It's Too Early at 6:45. You sir, have no right to insult these students. It was 19 degrees. The students were chanting and you know what? Some teachers commented and said it raised their spirits and some even said they cried. Why? Oh maybe because now they feel they are not alone. Don't worry about your job, it was covered by Seniors from both high schools. You sir, are easily replaced.

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    I appologize. I understand Al was with you, and I personally respect Al very much. This is not against Al or The Telegraph. This is between you and I. Bob, what you said was completely bias and as a reporter you should know not to do that. I believe that next time make sure your facts are straight.

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    I got there late because I have very little money and unlike some my father is working before I'm even awake, so I could get no ride in early. I was given a sign because I was told I would be given one when I asked if I should make one. I stayed late because I wanted to show that even though I was there late I would stay until the threat of jail was put upon me, plus nobody made the argument that it was wrong to. I did chant for the camera, but only to try and show whoever would see it what we were trying to do. After the man left I stayed out. I agree, many kids shouldn't have been there, but I was there to support the teachers who have guided me through hard times and have dedicated themselves to me. Getting my first detention of the year is a small price to pay for the teachers. The tax raise this will bring is going to be a huge stress on my family. Yet I was still there. Don't lump us all in together, please.

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    Also, you left "out of respect"? Yea right. I was right there when you were asked to leave. You said "ok" and kept taking pictured. Then you snapped one more of the principal as he was telling you to stop taking pictures. Way to make yourself a hero.

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    I was apart of both the before school and after the bell protesters, and no, we were not all standing out there "just because we wanted to get out of class" We were standing up for those teachers who work so hard to mold and shape the kids of today, and them not getting nearly enough money for all they do is not fair to them or their families. As some of the people said above, this is really unprofessional piece of work, and you should be ashamed of your self for telling a group of caring high school students that we acted as we were on stage when the camera showed up. We were a few kids, standing up for what is right. "Stand up for what is right, even if you are the only one standing"

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    Today i arrived at school to a line of students protesting about this contract. It IS effecting us as students at this school, and i can not believe that you are saying that they were doing it for attention. The kids that stayed out there wanted it to be known that we also care about the teachers and how they do not have a contract. It has been an ongoing issue, and it is still not taken care of. And for you to say that, is rediculous. They were glad it was going to be posted for many other unknowing people to see, because they wanted to let people know that they cared, and that they were serious.

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    In response to the student commenters I can only say this: Apathy is quick and easy but taking a stand and taking action to back it up takes courage and dedication. You should be commended for your willingness to fight for what you believe.


    However - several of the above comments do a grave disservice your idealism.


    In short - I find it unfortunate that based on an obviously brief and incomplete experience with a Telegraph photojournalist you would find it appropriate to launch personal attacks that serve no purpose other than to detract from your message.


    Bob Hammerstrom (and Al McKeon) attended the rally with a job to do on Friday morning. Bob's responsibility was to capture (in video and still pictures) whatever activity he observed. He did that to the best of his ability and left when requested by Principal Ryan. Any injury, real or imagined, caused by his effort to do his job is unfortunate, but definitely unintentional.


    Bob is a consummate professional who has been covering news in this community for almost a decade. His character is not in question. After leaving Nashua North Bob went to Merrimack High to talk to a class there about community journalism and share his experiences as a photojournalist over the last 22 years. That is the true reflection of his personality.


    Issues like the teacher's contract obviously inflame passion on both sides of the issue. I am sure Bob will accept the above, less than charitable comments, as a result of that idealism run a bit astray. That is the type of guy he is.


    Damon Kiesow

    Managing Editor / Online

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    I was the student who asked you to leave, repeatedly. I found your actions to be extremely unprofessional and irresponsible. You arrived nearly an hour after the protest started, well after school had started, and absolutely REFUSED to be cooperative in light of the fact that you were filming the 14 and 15 year olds who refused to cooperate with the protest organizers and go into school on time like they were asked.


    You need to modify your journalistic tactics when you're dealing with an unusual situation, ie a protest in which the participants are not mature enough to resist the temptation of a video camera. You are the adult. You were also our guest; this is our school, we invited you and it's just common courtesy to be respectful in such a situation.


    I was shocked at the contrast of Al McKeon's professionalism, politeness and agreeability compared to your absolute unwillingness to respect the wishes of the protest organizers for the sake of a shot. And then to COMPLAIN about it, and about the administration's request that you leave - that is incredible to me. You have guts.


    And you say that you put the camera down and stop filming when people wave or act in any way that's not completely candid. You didn't today, and this was a time when not only was that appropriate, it was REQUESTED REPEATEDLY.


    I don't know. My experience with other Telegraph staff members, like Michael Brindley and Al McKeon, have been nothing but positive and I couldn't be happier about that. It's a shame that you ruined the wonderful image your coworkers established.

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    I understand what you were trying to do, and we appreciate your sentiments, but if you're going to participate in protests in the future, you absolutely need to listen to the organizers and administration the FIRST time they ask you to do something.


    Because so many kids wouldn't go in when they were asked, it is entirely conceivable that the administration may forbid protests in the future. And that would be on your shoulders. We didn't ask you to go in to stifle your dedication, we asked you because acting in a unified way and working together makes a stronger statement than staying out late does.


    We want the same thing you do. I can only ask you to trust those of us who organized this thing that we have thought it out thoroughly, and that nothing we ask anyone to do is without a specific purpose.


    This protest was a first for our school, and we knew it was inevitable that bumps in the road like this would occur. We're all learning as we go here. So I ask you to consider what I'm saying, and to reserve hostility until you've given it a lot of thought.

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    the above was in response to katie haley.

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    Rachael, I understand the frustration you have in this circumstance, however it is also important to understand that journalists cover what they see and cannot be directed by those deeply involved in the story they are covering. I wasn't there, so I can't comment regarding the details, but Mr. Hammerstrom was assigned to come to the school and videotaped what was there when he arrived. That's his job. Certainly it would have been an advantage for him to understand the time issues such as the 7:20 bell, but he didn't. Journalists must cover news events independently and they cannot allow themselves to be directed by those deeply involved in the story itself.

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    Yes, I completely understand, but the only people I heard asking me to go in was the administration, and that was only once before they came and brought us in. I have apologized to a few people who were at the protest for staying out late, and I would like to do so to you as well. I may also ask the administration to forgive us and see if another protest would still be able to happen as long as we got all of the kids in on time for schoo