Journalists Sue LAPD for Targeting Them While They Covered L.A. Protests

The Los Angeles Press Club and investigative reporting site Status Coup filed a lawsuit in federal District Court against the city of Los Angeles, California and its police department for targeting journalists covering protests there against federal immigration raids.

The lawsuit asserts LAPD applied excessive force against both journalists and the public in its response to largely peaceful demonstrations. In doing so, LAPD violated rights of journalists under the Constitution and California law.

The complaint says journalists were shot with so-called less lethal rounds, charged at by officers mounted on horses, and forcibly stopped from filming. The Press Club had a tally of at least 30 incidents of police violence against journalists with including 20 injuries, at least five of which required emergency room or urgent care visits and at least one of which required surgery.

A prime example mentioned in the lawsuit was the shooting at close range of Australian journalist Lauren Tomas while she was broadcasting live. An officer can be seen in the camera frame turning toward her, raising his gun, aiming at her and firing. She is in a relatively clear space with her back to the police and a large microphone in her hand, and her camera operator in front of her.

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Click here for more about some of the attacks on journalists.