Protip: Malls are private property. If you catch their eye, security can basically do anything they like and you have no recourse. If you're white and middle class, you probably have no experience of this and find it shocking. If you aren't, you already know it.

If you're planning something like this, call first, and if they say no, there's nothing you can do.

It's unfair and arbitrary. People photograph their kids on Westfield carousels all the time. Last week I saw a bunch of high schoolers walking around with fucking swords they'd bought at the Asian gift shop, and nobody said a word to them, because they were white high school sports team in for some kind of state championship, and obviously spending money. Several shops actually sell head-concealing hoodies, which one would think would be in violation of their so-called code of conduct -- I suppose it depends on who's wearing them. But it's reality.