Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks

Journalists attacked by police while covering LA protests spark outcry

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 11 Jun 2025 14:07
4 Min Read

Multiple reporters were detained or injured by less-lethal rounds while on assignment.

Listen
  • x
  • A California Highway Patrol officer pulls an electric scooter off a vehicle on a highway as protesters throw objects at the police vehicles near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025 (AP)
    A California Highway Patrol officer pulls an electric scooter off a vehicle on a highway as protesters throw objects at the police vehicles near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025 (AP)

Journalists covering the ongoing protests in Los Angeles against the Trump administration’s immigration policies are reporting a wave of violent encounters with law enforcement. Multiple reporters say they were hit with rubber bullets, detained, or fired on with less-lethal munitions, prompting condemnation from press freedom groups and renewed calls for accountability.

CNN correspondent Jason Carroll and his crew were briefly detained live on air while covering the demonstrations on Monday. In footage of the encounter, Los Angeles police officers are seen telling the journalists to vacate the area before escorting them away. “I asked, ‘Am I being arrested?’” Carroll later recounted. “They said, ‘No... you’re being detained.’”

CNN’s Jason Carroll was zip-tied and escorted away—for reporting the news. But they claimed he wasn’t under arrest?

Why are they shooting rubber bullets at and silencing journalists? We still have a First Amendment. pic.twitter.com/WybbgRxj0g

— Christopher Webb (@cwebbonline) June 10, 2025

Although the crew was released after showing press credentials, CNN confirmed the detention and called the incident part of a troubling pattern. “We are pleased the situation resolved quickly,” a spokesperson said. “CNN will continue to report out the news unfolding in Los Angeles.”

Rubber bullets, sponge grenades hit journalists

The incidents weren’t limited to detentions. Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi from Nine News was struck in the leg by a rubber bullet while reporting live. “This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face while reporting from the frontlines of protests,” the network said.

Phenomenal response from Australian media on the incident in which Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was shot with a rubber bullet at relatively short range by a police officer.

To be very clear, she posed no threat to the officer, Indeed she had her back to him. It was clear… pic.twitter.com/ZBv74ZXgwu

— 𝔗𝔯𝔲𝔱𝔥 𝔐𝔞𝔱𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔰 (@politicsusa46) June 10, 2025

CalMatters reporter Sergio Olmos said he was hit by what he believes was a 40mm sponge grenade, calling it the most force used in a single protest he’s covered in the US. CNN also documented the use of tear gas, pepper balls, bean-bag rounds, and flash-bangs during protest dispersals.

British photographer Nick Stern suffered a severe injury from a police projectile on Saturday and was awaiting surgery as of Sunday. The injury required hospitalization and was attributed to a “non-lethal” round.

Related News

AI to double oil output, keep fossil fuels dominant: Aramco chief

Russian Lukoil plans fire sale of foreign assets due to sanctions

British news photographer, Nick Stern, recalls the moment a 14 millimetre 'plastic bullet' tore through his thigh while he was documenting a stand-off between protesters and police in LosAngeles. Says no warning before being fired on. #LosAngelesProtests pic.twitter.com/YZ9OmDYVfI

— Misinformation Fact Checker (@MisinfoFact) June 10, 2025

A New York Times reporter and a freelance photographer for the New York Post were also struck by law enforcement munitions while clearly identifying as press. The Post photographer, who was wearing a visible press badge, was hit in the head and later treated for whiplash and neck trauma.

Law enforcement faces scrutiny, but remains silent

Despite mounting reports, the Los Angeles Police Department has not responded to detailed inquiries about the incidents. In a brief news release, the department stated that its Professional Standards Bureau is investigating allegations of excessive force and other conduct issues during the protests.

Alongside the LAPD, at least four other law enforcement entities are now active across the city, including ICE, the California Highway Patrol, the LA Sheriff’s Department, and the Department of Homeland Security.

Guarding the federal building are California National Guard, U.S. Marshalls, Federal Protective service, and CBP. pic.twitter.com/x3Vk27WimX

— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) June 11, 2025

The California Highway Patrol has also declined to comment after one of its officers reportedly fired at a journalist from nearly 100 yards away.

CPJ, RSF condemn attacks on media

Prominent advocacy organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), issued sharp condemnations.

“We are greatly concerned by reports of law enforcement officers shooting non-lethal rounds at reporters covering protests in Los Angeles,” said Katherine Jacobsen, CPJ's US, Canada, and Caribbean program coordinator. “Any attempt to silence media coverage by intimidating or injuring journalists should not be tolerated.”

RSF reported at least 27 incidents of violence against journalists at the LA protests since June 6, 24 attributed to law enforcement, and three by individuals.

“This is unacceptable,” said Clayton Weimers, executive director of RSF USA. “These protests are a matter of huge public interest, and the public has a right to know exactly what’s going on. The only way that can happen is if journalists are allowed to do their jobs freely.”

Growing pattern of media suppression

The incidents in Los Angeles echo similar attacks on reporters seen during past waves of protests in the US. Despite the press’s constitutionally protected role in covering matters of public concern, journalists increasingly face threats and violence from the very institutions they report on.

As the protests over immigration enforcement continue, press advocates warn that failing to protect journalists sends a dangerous signal, not only to law enforcement but to the public that depends on their reporting.

  • Russia
  • US
  • violence against journalists
  • Trump immigration policy
  • Police Brutality
  • LA protests
  • Reporters Without Borders
  • Los Angeles
  • Donald Trump
  • Latino Americans

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and Egyptian workers search for the bodies of hostages in a tunnel discovered during searches in Hamad City, Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' obstructing Gaza body recovery, creating false claims: Hamas

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawwaf Salam talks to US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus at the Grand Serail in Beirut, Lebanon, October 28, 2025 (NNA)
Politics

Salam conveys to Ortagus goals behind any possible negotiations

Writers boycott NYT, demand justice as Gaza media ban faces court
Politics

300+ writers boycott NYT Opinion, cite persistent anti-Palestine bias

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, Injure 3 Palestinians
Politics

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, injure 3 Palestinians

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS