Police Injure Several Journalists While Covering California Protests Amid Federal Enforcement

Washington, D.C. – In Los Angeles, California, law enforcement utilized non-lethal rounds, injuring at least four journalists who were covering protests that began on Friday, June 6, and escalated over the weekend amid immigration raids.

President Donald Trump dispatched 2,000 National Guard members to the state, despite opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass.

“We are extremely concerned by reports of law enforcement officials firing non-lethal rounds at journalists covering protests in Los Angeles. Any attempts to impede or silence media reporting through intimidation or harm to journalists must be condemned,” commented Katherine Jacobsen, CPJ U.S., Canada, and Caribbean Program Coordinator.

“It is vital for authorities to respect the media’s role in documenting issues of public significance.”

Officers targeted Ryanne Mena, a crime reporter for the LA Daily News, and freelance journalist Sean Beckner-Carmitchel with pepper balls and tear gas while they were reporting on Friday and Saturday.

Nick Stern, a British freelance photojournalist living in LA, required emergency surgery after being struck in the leg by a three-inch plastic bullet on Sunday.

Stern informed the BBC that he was wearing a press badge and holding his camera when he was shot.

Officers also hit Lauren Tomasi, a reporter for Australia’s 9News, in the leg with a rubber bullet while she was on-air on Sunday.

Adam Rose, secretary of the Los Angeles Press Club, has documented over 20 instances of obstruction and assaults against media personnel since the protests commenced on June 6. CPJ has not independently verified all reported incidents.

CPJ’s inquiries directed to the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, and the California National Guard went without response.

*This article was prepared by the CPJ