People in Los Angeles have been dealing with waves of chaos and unrest in the past few days.
Right in the center of the fight was Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi — she was struck by a rubber bullet during the clashes.
“You just shot the reporter to death”
The U.S. correspondent for Nine News, Lauren Tomasi, has reported on the protests that happened after President Trump’s new immigration policy was announced.
People protested in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, and nearby the Metropolitan Detention Centre, some of them set cars ablaze.
Protests against the immigration raids started in the morning with only a few people involved, but by afternoon the crowds had turned into thousands and the situation was tense.
Tomasi explained from 257 E Temple Street that horse units from the LAPD shot rubber bullets at protesters as they approached. All of a sudden, the protesters’ situation touched Tomasi. He was shot with a rubber bullet.
A witness could be heard, yelling, “You hit the reporter with bullets.”
Tomasi kept her cool and said, “I’m fine,” when people wanted to know if she needed help. It looks from the footage released by Nine News that an officer fired in her direction after deliberately pointing the gun at her. The network said this in a subsequent statement.
“Lauren Tomasi was hit by a rubber bullet. Both Lauren and her camera operator are fine and will keep filming these happenings. It is deeply concerning that such dangers can still affect journalists while covering protests, which makes their work that more important in sharing relevant news.
Asks for an explanation to be given.
After receiving the message, Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young quickly called on U.S. officials to give an explanation.
She told him that the first message he should deliver to the president is to halt the shootings against our journalists. A strong democracy relies on the principle of freedom for the press.
The demonstrations, formed in response to recent immigration raids, had made the LAPD declare the area to be an “unlawful assembly” and share warnings for both the public and news media to keep away from the Civic Center.
Because of this incident, many people from different countries are expressing their frustration and examining how police handle civil unrest. At the same time, President Trump told the LAPD to use the military, and the National Guard has been sent to back up the police force.
Do not agree with whatever the administration proposes.
According to Trump, Los Angeles is now lawless and out of Democratic leaders’ control. The unrest is so far just seen in a few streets in downtown.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass urges people living in the city to stop the violence.
Angelenos — do not engage in violence and disorder. Do not fall for the administration’s desires, added X in her essay.
Mayor Bass of Los Angeles and California Governor Gavin Newsom have made it clear that they disagree with Trump’s use of National Guard troops here.
With time, it’s easy to see that protesting has not only become dangerous for those who take part but also for those documenting these events.