The Pacific Media Workers Guild joined several other press rights and civil liberties organizations in condemning federal agents’ treatment of the press during recent protests in Los Angeles. We’re sharing the below message from Ginny LaRoe, Advocacy Director for the First Amendment Coalition. A copy of the letter sent to Department of Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem can be found here.

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Reporters pelted by rubber bullets, hit in the head with tear gas canisters, and forced to flee a hail of pepper balls. Since the weekend, we’ve been seeing account after account of reporters covering the protests against the ICE raids in L.A. being attacked by federal agents and local law enforcement.

Journalists are the public’s eyes and ears, working in dangerous conditions to deliver information to us. Their work is even more critical when covering controversial events such as the immigration enforcement activities L.A., drawing hundreds of people to protest the Trump administration’s policies.

But instead of respecting First Amendment-protected press rights, police too often met journalists with violence. Today, FAC led a coalition of 27 press rights and civil liberties organizations in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem condemning federal agents’ treatment of the press. We are also alarmed at local officers’ similar disregard for the law.

There are at least 24 documented instances of journalists facing injury, and even being targeted by law enforcement while covering protests in L.A. between June 6-8, according to initial research by our partners at the Los Angeles Press Club.

A threat to journalism is a threat to democracy. We will continue to fight to protect all journalists’ rights to do their jobs.

Thank you for supporting our work.

Ginny LaRoe
Advocacy Director