I have always wondered if all these online petitions that float around actually work! While I have signed petitions in the past, I feel they are waste of time but worth the effort (time) if adding a voice ‘might’ make some difference.

In the last week of June, city officials in New York had proposed a law that would have forced photographers and film makers to obtain permits and a liability insurance of $1million to take pictures and shoot videos in the city. Any group of 2 or more photographers shooting in an area for more than 30 minutes would require this permit. Rule also applies to those using their Gorillapods, or tripods in a group of 5 or more for more than 10 minutes.

While this law was meant for professional filmmakers and photographers, ambiguity in the proposal would have made it difficult for amateurs like yours truly to hang around Times Square!

An online petition was signed by 31,000 photographers against this. As a result, city officials have withdrawn this proposal and have said they will work on a revised version.

Conclusion (based on this): Yes, they do! But really, do they work??

ps: reading Molishree’s comment, I modified the conclusion and I leave it open for others to answer!