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Journalists Targeted: Increasing Police Intervention at los Angeles Protests raises Press Freedom Concerns
Los Angeles – Recent protests in Los Angeles have seen a disturbing trend: increasing police intervention targeting journalists. Incidents of reporters being shot with less-lethal rounds, tear-gassed, and even detained are raising serious concerns about press freedom and the ability of the media to report on critical events.
Reporter Shot While Covering Paramount protest
abraham Márquez, a reporter for Southlander, was covering a presentation in Paramount on Saturday night when he was struck by multiple foam rounds fired by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies. Márquez, who identified himself as press, was attempting to retreat when the incident occurred. “They just unloaded,” he recounted.
Shortly after, Márquez and a news crew sought cover in a gas station parking lot only to be sprayed with more foam rounds by deputies in an armored vehicle, highlighting the challenges journalists face while trying to report in conflict situations.
Widespread Incidents of Journalist Mistreatment
Márquez’s experience is not isolated. Numerous journalists covering the ongoing civil unrest and immigration enforcement actions in Los Angeles have reported similar incidents. These include physical attacks, unlawful searches, threats of arrest, and denial of access to areas where they are legally permitted to observe police activity.
Several reporters were hit by police projectiles, and a CNN reporter was briefly detained while doing a live on-air segment. Australian Tv news reporter Lauren Tomasi was shot in the leg by a less-lethal round shortly after finishing a live segment, an incident that drew international condemnation.
Official Responses and investigations
Following these incidents, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her concern, stating that such actions “send a terrible message.” City councilmembers questioned Lapd Chief Jim Mcdonnell regarding the department’s response to the protests.
Lapd Spokesperson Jennifer Forkish affirmed the department’s support for press freedom, stating that officers receive continuous training on media rights, with clear guidance on identifying and allowing freedom of movement for journalists. She acknowledged the difficulties in applying these policies amidst volatile demonstrations and the presence of individuals falsely claiming to be media. Still, questions remain about the practical application of these policies on the ground.
The Sheriff’s Department stated it is reviewing video footage of incidents involving the media to determine if deputies were involved, reaffirming its commitment to an open relationship with the media and ensuring journalists can safely perform their duties during public gatherings.
Rising Complaints and Legal Concerns
Lapd Deputy Chief Michael Rimkunas stated that the department is investigating approximately 15 complaints, two of which involve possible mistreatment of journalists, with expectations for this number to increase. A coalition of 27 press and civil liberties advocacy groups has appealed to U.S.Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, raising concerns that federal officers may have violated journalists’ First Amendment rights.
Journalists covering the protests claim that officers and deputies used physical force and threats of arrest to remove them from legally accessible areas, disregarding state laws protecting journalists and their own department policies
