The Day the Media Was Targeted: LAPD's Crackdown on Photojournalists and Judicial Pushback | Release #546
Cover photo by ユウ3850
In June 2025, during a protest against anti-immigration policies in Los Angeles, multiple photojournalists and reporters were subjected to violent actions by the LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department).
At least 35 incidents were reported where journalists were shot with rubber bullets or exposed to tear gas, including individuals who were clearly identifiable as members of the press.
Emergency Measures Issued by the Court
In response to these incidents, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting the LAPD from using violence or removing journalists from protest areas.
Photo by Maru_R
This order ensures that members of the press cannot be removed from protest zones or harmed, providing legal protection against unlawful detentions or attacks by the police. The upcoming hearings will determine whether these protections will remain in place.
Revealing Police Targeting
The court's ruling documented multiple instances where journalists, clearly engaged in reporting activities, were deliberately targeted by the LAPD.
Photo by しゅんさん99
For example, a photojournalist filming from a bridge was shot in the head, and a TV reporter broadcasting live was hit by rubber bullets. The court determined that these actions were not 'accidental' but rather deliberate targeting by the police. Such conduct by law enforcement was deemed a severe violation of the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of the press.
