CWA Members and Other Journalists Face Attacks from Law Enforcement

Journalists and other media workers covering protests in Los Angeles last week were deliberately targeted with less-lethal rounds and tear gas by law enforcement. Video from the protests shows a Los Angeles police officer aiming directly at Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi while she was broadcasting live. Several of those targeted while reporting on the protests are members of The NewsGuild-CWA.

CWA President Claude Cummings Jr., in a public statement, said, “I am grateful to the journalists and other media workers who put themselves in harm's way to bring us the news. The leaders of law enforcement agencies must take steps to protect [our members’] safety and investigate any actions that interfere with their ability to do their jobs.”

NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss also issued a powerful statement condemning the attacks: “When law enforcement targets reporters, it’s not just an attack on individuals—it’s an attack on every American’s right to a free press.”

The statement continues, “Police cannot target journalists for doing their jobs. Every worker has the right to leave work at the end of the day healthy and uninjured.”

The Los Angeles Press Club has filed a lawsuit in order to protect journalists’ First Amendment rights and The NewsGuild-CWA is demanding immediate investigations and accountability from law enforcement.

CWA has a long history as a “fighting union,” and we will continue to defend the health and safety of all of our members.

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This post originally appeared on cwa-union.org.