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{
"title": "Independent journalist briefly detained amid DC riots",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/independent-journalist-briefly-detained-amid-dc-riots/",
"first_published_at": "2021-01-08T16:07:15.867058Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-11-25T18:14:28.983181Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-11-25T18:14:28.894426Z",
"date": "2021-01-06",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"mek8j\">Independent journalist Talia Jane was briefly detained while documenting riots in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021.</p><p data-block-key=\"5mjgg\">Jane was documenting <a href=\"https://twitter.com/itsa_talia\">via Twitter</a> protests and demonstrations unfolding in downtown D.C., organized around the Congressional certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. President Donald Trump held a rally in front of the White House and called on his supporters to protest the vote on the basis of unfounded claims of election fraud. Hoards of his supporters then marched to the Capitol, swarmed the building and broke inside, Reuters <a href=\"https://graphics.reuters.com/USA-ELECTION/PROTESTS/qmyvmqewmvr/\">reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"jt06b\">In response to the violence at the Capitol, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser <a href=\"https://mayor.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/mayormb/release_content/attachments/Mayor%27s%20Order%202020-003%20%201-6-2021.pdf\">declared a public emergency</a> and issued a curfew order from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. the following morning. The order explicitly exempted journalists and other essential workers.</p><p data-block-key=\"th97e\">Jane told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker via direct messages that she was at the Capitol at around 7:30 p.m. to document a small group of Trump supporters who were trying to defy the curfew order.</p><p data-block-key=\"8zoux\">“MPD [Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia] made three warnings for people to leave within the space of a minute or two, then started moving people back,” Jane said. “Eventually they formed a big circle, told me because I was press I could leave any time but didn’t answer questions about non-press people still there.”</p><p data-block-key=\"plf3e\">Moments later, an officer in a white shirt told the others to start grabbing people, Jane said.</p><p data-block-key=\"j0k6t\">An officer placed his hand on her shoulder and began escorting her out of the police “kettle,” a police tactic of encircling a crowd which is often followed with mass citations or arrests. Jane said that she was not released, but led to two coach buses alongside the other detainees.</p><p data-block-key=\"745e4\">Two Washington Post journalists, Zoeann Murphy and Whitney Leaming, were also detained within the police kettle. The Tracker has documented <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/arrest-criminal-charge/?categories=4&date_lower=2021-01-06&date_upper=2021-01-06&targeted_institutions=357\">those detentions here.</a></p><p data-block-key=\"1famu\">Jane said that she continued to film the scene and attempted to ask both her arresting officer and the commanding officers at the scene whether press were exempted from the curfew, but they ignored her.</p><p data-block-key=\"wxz5g\">“Still on my phone, not zip tied, just being held by my backpack so I can’t move around too much,” Jane said.</p><p data-block-key=\"lg4r5\">When she reached the front of the line, Jane said one of the commanding officers examined her press badge and asked which outlets she works for, and she listed a few.</p><p data-block-key=\"bcagw\">“Satisfied, he tells me they’re going to let me go but on the caveat I head straight home.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">They grabbed me, walked me to the...coach buses(?) they’re putting detainees in. Divided the people by male/female. Once it got to be my turn, Captain JR Haines looked at my press badge, said he’d let me go. Asked if press are included in curfew, he said “I don’t know” & laughed</p>— TALIA JANE (@itsa_talia) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/itsa_talia/status/1346985553737228289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 7, 2021</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"sldoh\">Jane said she was released at approximately 7:45 p.m., then remained at the scene for a while with other members of the press. She said she was not hassled further by the police.</p><p data-block-key=\"19117\">When reached by phone, a spokesperson for MPDC told the Tracker that it could not comment beyond this statement: “When we detain any reporters, it’s to maintain order and safety.”</p><p data-block-key=\"n7sxc\">The spokesperson said she could not comment further on the specifics of any case. The Tracker was then asked that any questions about the department’s use of kettling be sent via email. The department did not immediately respond to those or previously emailed questions.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Jane.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"nqtra\">Rioters stormed the Capitol to disrupt the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory on Jan. 6, 2020. Three journalists were detained after a curfew was ordered in response to the violence.</p>",
"arresting_authority": "Metropolitan Police Department",
"arrest_status": "detained and released without being processed",
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"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
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"tags": [
"election",
"Election 2020",
"kettle",
"protest"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Arrest/Criminal Charge"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Talia (Jane) Ben-Ora (Freelance)"
],
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},
{
"title": "Journalist assaulted at least 7 times while covering Capitol riots",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-assaulted-at-least-7-times-while-covering-capitol-riots/",
"first_published_at": "2021-08-02T16:24:31.544945Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-11-25T16:34:27.008048Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-11-25T16:34:26.921208Z",
"date": "2021-01-06",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"2mfoo\">Independent photojournalist John Harrington was assaulted and harassed by supporters of President Donald Trump while covering the insurrection in and around the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.</p><p data-block-key=\"fcmcw\">President Donald Trump spoke at noon at a rally in front of the White House in response to the Congressional certification of President-elect Joe Biden, promoting false claims of election fraud and calling for his supporters to march to the Capitol, The New York Times <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/us/politics/trump-speech-capitol.html\">reported</a>. Following the rally, thousands of pro-Trump supporters waving Confederate and Trump flags <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/01/06/us/electoral-vote?smid=ig-nytimes&utm_source=curalate_like2buy&utm_medium=curalate_like2buy_3euQ1BMQ__8cfbbaaa-aef6-4783-8eb6-3eb782b23382&crl8_id=8cfbbaaa-aef6-4783-8eb6-3eb782b23382#trump-speaking-to-protesters-declares-we-will-never-concede\">violently stormed the Capitol</a>, disrupting and occupying several areas within the building.</p><p data-block-key=\"ysi86\">Harrington told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker he was also documenting the riot along the west side of the Capitol when he was assaulted and harassed multiple times. In one case, Harrington said someone used what he believes was a fire extinguisher to hit his head. He quickly put on his ballistic helmet, which also displayed his press markings.</p><p data-block-key=\"syh8r\">At the 8:55 mark in a <a href=\"https://vimeo.com/498659551/080427b8cf\">video</a> he shared on Vimeo, a rioter throws a pole toward a Capitol police officer, who then engages in a "tug-of-war" style exchange. In the chaos, the rioter briefly enters the frame and the pole can be seen banging the right side of the camera, hitting his head.</p><p data-block-key=\"saj7j\">At 9:50 in the same video, a chair is aggressively thrown and hits him during a scuffle between police officers and rioters. "More than once, I wiped my hand along [my right cheek] to see if I had any blood," Harrington told the Tracker. "Thankfully, I didn't." Still, he said his head hurt for a majority of the day.</p><p data-block-key=\"sdue6\">In a separate incident, he said a protester grabbed the back of his coat and requested to switch places with him, so that the individual could grab mace and pepper spray from an officer nearby. Harrington declined, but the demonstrator continued to intimidate him. He said he also experienced other threats throughout the day, from pro-Trump demonstrators demanding that Harrington "better be on our side," to demands that he stop filming.</p><p data-block-key=\"rk5qj\">A different time, a "bike rack barricade" was thrown his way. In an attempt to avoid the object, he was caught in the "line of fire of mace spray from law enforcement," he said.</p><p data-block-key=\"j25ik\">"[My toes] are black and blue. I don't know if I got stepped on, [but] things happened in a blur," Harrington told the Tracker. "I can't say I'm mentally unscathed."</p><p data-block-key=\"35l4h\">He said he does not intend on filing a report or hiring an attorney, but he would be supportive of an investigation.</p><p data-block-key=\"uhlll\">In a <a href=\"https://www.uscp.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-steven-sund-chief-police\">press release</a> the next day, outgoing Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund called the attacks on Jan. 6 "criminal riotous behavior" and said the United States Capitol Police would be conducting a "thorough review of this incident."</p><p data-block-key=\"5jhmp\">The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker is documenting multiple assaults, detainments and equipment damages from Jan. 6 events.<a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?date_lower=2021-01-06&date_upper=2021-01-06\"> Find those here</a>.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/image.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"viwxe\">Independent photojournalist John Harrington was assaulted multiple times while covering the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021. "More than once, I wiped my hand along [my right cheek] to see if I had any blood," he said.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
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"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": "private individual",
"was_journalist_targeted": "yes",
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
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"name_of_business": null,
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"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
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"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"election",
"Election 2020",
"protest"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"John Harrington (Independent)"
],
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},
{
"title": "Justice Department attempted to seize email records of 4 New York Times reporters",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/justice-department-attempts-to-seize-email-records-of-four-new-york-times-reporters/",
"first_published_at": "2021-06-21T15:31:17.674548Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-04-15T14:33:50.294356Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-04-15T14:33:50.164964Z",
"date": "2021-01-05",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"g2yv7\">The Department of Justice under then-President Donald Trump obtained a court order on Jan. 5, 2021, demanding that the tech company Google secretly turn over the email logs of four New York Times reporters as part of an ongoing leak investigation. The effort, though ultimately dropped, was continued under President Joe Biden’s administration.</p><p data-block-key=\"gjky9\">The Times <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/04/us/politics/times-reporter-emails-gag-order-trump-google.html\">reported</a> that two days after it was revealed that the DOJ had obtained the phone records of four reporters — Matt Apuzzo, Adam Goldman, Eric Lichtblau and Michael S. Schmidt — a gag order was lifted that had prevented a Times attorney from disclosing an ongoing battle over the same reporters’ email records.</p><p data-block-key=\"6d9dh\">According to the lawyer, David McCraw, the Justice Department obtained a 2703(d) court order from a magistrate judge requiring Google, which operates the Times’ email system, to turn over the requested records without informing the newspaper of the disclosure. Google reportedly resisted, saying that to do so would violate the tech company’s contract with the Times.</p><p data-block-key=\"4tjz8\">Google didn’t respond to an emailed request for comment. A spokesperson for the tech company told the Times it doesn’t comment on specific cases, but is “firmly committed to protecting our customers’ data and we have a long history of pushing to notify our customers about any legal requests.”</p><p data-block-key=\"29wfk\">On March 3, the judge permitted Google to inform McCraw of the effort but required him to sign a nondisclosure agreement barring him from telling Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet or other newsroom leaders: a move which McCraw told the Times was unprecedented. A federal court lifted the order on June 4.</p><p data-block-key=\"aqorq\">Baquet condemned both presidential administrations in a statement to the newspaper.</p><p data-block-key=\"so2as\">“Clearly, Google did the right thing, but it should never have come to this,” Baquet said. “The Justice Department relentlessly pursued the identity of sources for coverage that was clearly in the public interest in the final 15 days of the Trump administration. And the Biden administration continued to pursue it. As I said before, it profoundly undermines press freedom.”</p><p data-block-key=\"re1z1\">Justice Department spokesman Anthony Coley told the Times that, under the Biden administration, the department “voluntarily moved to withdraw the order before any records were produced.” The Biden administration <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/05/us/politics/biden-gag-order-new-york-times-leak.html\">issued a statement</a> that no one at the White House was aware of the gag order until it was lifted.</p><p data-block-key=\"85p2o\">The revelation about the Times reporters’ email records was the latest in a series of recent disclosures about the Trump administration’s efforts to use the seizure of journalists’ communications to identify leakers or critics of the administration.</p><p data-block-key=\"9gasj\">CNN <a href=\"https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/20/politics/trump-secretly-obtained-cnn-reporter-records/index.html\">reported</a> that DOJ regulations for issuing media subpoenas were changed under the Obama administration in 2015 to require that the attorney general authorize any such legal orders related to journalists’ communications or work products. While the regulations mandated that the journalist and outlet be notified of the seizures, the policy set no clear timetable for notification.</p><p data-block-key=\"ur1eq\">On May 21, 2021, Biden condemned such seizures as “simply, simply wrong,” The Associated Press <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/arts-and-entertainment-government-and-politics-27a0ab87662217be1989a2d5a7465610\">reported</a>. In keeping with Biden’s sentiments, the DOJ said on June 5 that it would no longer seize journalists’ records during leak investigations, <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/politics-business-government-and-politics-67ac2f4f96b2dfd7f47446662e59ec6e\">according to the AP</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"hvms5\">“This announcement is a potential sea change for press freedom rights in the United States,” Trevor Timm, executive director of the Freedom of the Press Foundation, <a href=\"https://freedom.press/news/in-a-sea-change-for-press-freedom-biden-justice-department-vows-not-to-spy-on-reporters-doing-their-job/\">said in a statement</a>. “While we’re encouraged to see this announcement ending this invasive and disturbing tactic, the devil is—of course—in the details. The Justice Department must now write this categorical bar of journalist surveillance into its official ‘media guidelines,’ and Congress should also immediately enshrine the rules into law to ensure no administration can abuse its power again.”</p><p data-block-key=\"zxrad\">FPF is a founding partner of the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker and manages its day-to-day operations.</p><p data-block-key=\"a4ddw\">When reached for comment concerning the newspaper’s push for an explanation from the Justice Department, Times spokesperson Danielle Rhoades Ha confirmed to the Tracker that publisher A.G. Sulzberger would be meeting with the attorney general and shared a statement from him ahead of that meeting.</p><p data-block-key=\"kwhry\">“We’re pleased that Attorney General [Merrick] Garland has agreed to this meeting. We hope to use the meeting to learn more about how this seizure of records happened and to seek a commitment that the Department of Justice will no longer seize journalists’ records during leak investigations,” Sulzberger said.</p><p data-block-key=\"p03ef\">Garland met with executives from the Times, The Washington Post and CNN on June 14, and <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/14/us/politics/leak-investigations-justice-department.html\">affirmed</a> the planned policy changes. While Garland’s comments during the meeting were off the record, the Times reported that Sulzberger was encouraged by Garland’s statements but said he would continue to push the department until the outlets’ concerns were fully addressed.</p></div>",
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"assailant": null,
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"name_of_business": "Google",
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"Michael S. Schmidt (The New York Times)"
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{
"title": "Independent photojournalist arrested while covering Portland protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/independent-photojournalist-arrested-while-covering-portland-protest/",
"first_published_at": "2021-04-22T18:08:30.149622Z",
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"longitude": -122.67621,
"latitude": 45.52345,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"uec8j\">Independent photojournalist Sean Bascom was arrested while reporting on a protest in Portland, Oregon, on Jan. 5, 2021.</p><p data-block-key=\"imbog\">Protesters had gathered near the North Portland precinct of the Portland Police Bureau, demonstrating in reaction to the announcement that day that no charges would be filed against Wisconsin police officers involved in the shooting of Jacob Blake on Aug. 23, 2020.</p><p data-block-key=\"umz0c\">Racial justice demonstrations had been held regularly in the city since the death of George Floyd during an arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25.</p><p data-block-key=\"gn5wc\">Bascom, a photojournalist whose work has been published by outlets such as the Portland Mercury and the Portland State Vanguard, told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker he’d been following the demonstrations near the police building on the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Killingsworth Street. According to Bascom, some protesters had set a fire in a dumpster in the street, and another had removed a security camera from the fence around the precinct.</p><p data-block-key=\"souv9\">Bascom said at one point he went around to the side of the building and took some photographs through a fence of officers in the precinct’s parking lot. Several officers came over to the fence, Bascom said, with one asking if he was “real press.” He said he told them that he was a freelance photojournalist and explained how freelancing works and why he didn’t have a credential issued by a specific outlet.</p><p data-block-key=\"rjb5m\">Soon, more protesters gathered at that side of the fence, Bascom said, and police issued warnings, causing protesters to scatter. Police then moved up the street, he said, pushing protesters back from the area.</p><p data-block-key=\"1kssy\">Bascom said that he was standing near other journalists and some protesters across the street from the precinct building in a parking area for several businesses when one sergeant pointed at him and directed officers to arrest him.</p><p data-block-key=\"gz58h\">Bascom said that he had the word “PRESS” marked on his helmet, and he identified himself as a journalist as he was being arrested. He said he’d spoken with the sergeant who pointed him out for arrest earlier in the night, and the officer had said that he wasn’t a real member of the press.</p><p data-block-key=\"xpsjd\">Video posted on Twitter by photojournalist Justin Yau shows Bascom, wearing a black helmet marked “PRESS” with a camera hanging around his neck, being arrested.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Portland Police has just exited the building and conducted targeted arrests. At least one person with cameras and Press markings have been arrested. Officers say the charge is trespassing. <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/PortlandProtest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#PortlandProtest</a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/PDXProtest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#PDXProtest</a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackLivesMatter?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#BlackLivesMatter</a> <a href=\"https://t.co/2cZNn1yxpu\">pic.twitter.com/2cZNn1yxpu</a></p>— Justin Yau (@PDocumentarians) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/PDocumentarians/status/1346720618427781120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 6, 2021</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"e42o1\">Bascom said police handcuffed his wrists behind his back and brought him into the PPB precinct. He said that officers bagged up his personal belongings and that he was held in a cell for about 20 minutes, before being released with a citation for trespassing and interfering with a police officer.</p><p data-block-key=\"mfodl\">Bascom said that the charges had been dropped and he never needed to appear in court.</p><p data-block-key=\"257px\">A spokesperson for the Multnomah County district attorney confirmed that the state declined to prosecute and that the case is closed. The PPB did not respond to a request for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"vs0ts\">The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker documents journalists assaulted, arrested, struck by crowd-control ammunition or tear gas or who had their equipment damaged in the course of reporting. Find all incidents related to Black Lives Matter and anti-police brutality protests <a href=\"/blog/blm-and-unprecedented-aggressions-against-media/\">here</a>.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Bascom_assaukt_010521.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"0954u\">Photojournalist Sean Bascom captures the moment when a Portland Police Bureau sergeant singles him out for arrest while he was covering protests on Jan. 5, 2021. Bascom said the charges were subsequently dropped.</p>",
"arresting_authority": "Portland Police Bureau",
"arrest_status": "arrested and released",
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
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"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Oregon",
"abbreviation": "OR"
},
"updates": [],
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"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"Black Lives Matter",
"protest"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Arrest/Criminal Charge"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
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],
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},
{
"title": "Justice Department attempted to seize email records of 3 Washington Post reporters",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/justice-department-attempted-to-seize-email-records-of-3-washington-post-reporters/",
"first_published_at": "2021-07-14T21:37:03.202911Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-02-29T19:30:45.616886Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-02-29T19:30:45.534121Z",
"date": "2020-12-22",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"humsp\">The Department of Justice under then-President Donald Trump attempted to acquire email records of three Washington Post reporters as part of a leak investigation on Dec. 22, 2020.</p><p data-block-key=\"g64wx\">The day before William Barr stepped down as attorney general, he filed an <a href=\"https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/sites/dcd/files/Cleaned-Application%207-9-21%20redacted.pdf\">application for a court order</a> to compel Proofpoint, a cybersecurity firm, to turn over records belonging to Post reporters Ellen Nakashima, Greg Miller and Adam Entous, who now works at The New Yorker. The request was part of an attempt to identify who had informed the journalists about conversations between Trump campaign officials and Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak, according <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/washington-post-trump-reporter-emails/2021/07/13/27c1f04e-e41f-11eb-b722-89ea0dde7771_story.html\">to the Post</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"6tqx6\">According to the redacted application, classified information was made available to Congress in April 2017 and was published by the Post in the subsequent months.</p><p data-block-key=\"ms3be\">The DOJ also seized the same journalists' phone records in 2020; the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker has documented that court order <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/trump-doj-seized-2017-phone-records-of-three-washington-post-reporters/\">here</a>. The Biden Justice Department’s disclosure of the seizures led to the <a href=\"https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/content/20-sc-3355-attachment\">unsealing of court documents</a> about the leak investigation on July 9, 2021.</p><p data-block-key=\"ibft9\">According to the <a href=\"https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/sites/dcd/files/20-SC-3355-DOCKET.pdf\">court docket</a>, Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui granted the department’s request for a 2703(d) court order to compel the release of the records. However, the Post <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/13/us/politics/washington-post-reporter-emails.html\">reported</a> that while the DOJ did obtain the reporters’ phone logs, it did not succeed in obtaining their email records.</p><p data-block-key=\"nms25\">The revelation about the email records was the <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/trump-justice-department-secretly-obtained-cnn-pentagon-reporters-email-phone-records/\">latest</a> <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/trump-justice-department-secretly-obtained-phone-records-of-four-new-york-times-reporters/\">in a</a> <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/justice-department-attempts-to-seize-email-records-of-four-new-york-times-reporters/\">series</a> of recent disclosures about the Trump administration’s efforts to use the seizure of journalists’ communications to identify leakers or critics of the administration.</p><p data-block-key=\"eu8h7\">On May 21, President Joe Biden condemned such seizures as “simply, simply wrong” following revelations that CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr’s <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/trump-justice-department-secretly-obtained-cnn-pentagon-reporters-email-phone-records/\">personal phone and email records were obtained</a> during the Trump administration, The Associated Press <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/arts-and-entertainment-government-and-politics-27a0ab87662217be1989a2d5a7465610\">reported</a>. In keeping with Biden’s sentiments, the DOJ announced on June 5 that it will no longer seize journalists’ records during leak investigations, <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/politics-business-government-and-politics-67ac2f4f96b2dfd7f47446662e59ec6e\">according to the AP</a>. The Post reported that Attorney General Merrick Garland is expected to send a memo formally notifying all federal prosecutors of the ban in mid-July.</p><p data-block-key=\"6q68k\">The Department of Justice, The Washington Post and the named reporters didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. As it is unclear if the cybersecurity firm Proofpoint ignored or objected to the request for records before the DOJ closed its investigation, the Tracker is marking the status of the subpoena as dropped.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
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"image_caption": "",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": null,
"was_journalist_targeted": null,
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": "journalist communications or work product",
"name_of_business": "Proofpoint",
"third_party_business": "tech company",
"legal_order_venue": "Federal",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"Department of Justice"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Adam Entous (The Washington Post)",
"Greg Miller (The Washington Post)",
"Ellen Nakashima (The Washington Post)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [
"dropped"
],
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "WCAX-TV subpoenaed in Vermont criminal trial",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/wcax-tv-subpoenaed-in-vermont-criminal-trial/",
"first_published_at": "2021-03-09T17:26:55.051850Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-03-13T16:26:28.305636Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-03-13T16:26:28.213345Z",
"date": "2020-12-22",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Burlington",
"longitude": -73.21207,
"latitude": 44.47588,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"4qn43\">On Dec. 22, 2020, CBS-affiliate station WCAX-TV in Burlington, Vermont, was subpoenaed by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office in connection with an interview the channel conducted with William Dunn, a man charged with aggravated assault in a December stabbing incident.</p><p data-block-key=\"ffsmz\">In the <a href=\"https://www.wcax.com/2020/12/10/burlington-stabbing-suspect-says-hes-the-victim/\">video clip</a>, published Dec. 10 on the station’s website, WCAX-TV reporter Christina Guessferd summarizes the case and uses clips from her interview with Dunn. In her report, Guessferd says Dunn told her he acted in self-defense, after his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend barged into their apartment and confronted him in a “violent altercation.” In the video clip, Dunn says “I had to fight for my life.”</p><p data-block-key=\"h8stf\">On Jan. 15, 2021, the station filed a motion to quash the subpoena, citing the Vermont state shield law that protects journalists from compelled disclosure of information and sources. According to the <a href=\"https://beta.documentcloud.org/documents/20462522-wcax-motion-to-quash-dunn-subpoena\">motion</a>, the State’s Attorney’s Office asked the station to provide “any and all footage, including raw and final as well as all videos, notes, sound bites and information obtained from the interview,” as well as “any and all saved messages or other communication records pertaining to Dunn.”</p><p data-block-key=\"hbhv0\">The station’s motion to quash asserts that the information sought in the raw video, notes and other materials subpoenaed from the interview is available to law enforcement from other sources, including four witnesses present at the time of the incident, as well as the defendant. The motion says that the witness statements support Dunn’s claims that the attacker started the altercation. It says the station’s footage, taken a week after the incident, does not capture the fight that led to the charges.</p><p data-block-key=\"8omaj\">WCAX-TV contends that the State’s Attorney seeks to compel the station to turn over its recordings, despite the availability of other sources; the station’s motion says no special circumstances have been cited that would warrant an exception to the shield law.</p><p data-block-key=\"0h3hz\">The Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office did not respond to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker’s request for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"6ndoy\">WCAX-TV’s lawyer Robert B. Hemley declined to speak about the case without the station’s approval, and the station did not respond to a Tracker request for comment.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": null,
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
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"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": null,
"was_journalist_targeted": null,
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": "journalist communications or work product",
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": "State",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Vermont",
"abbreviation": "VT"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [
"WCAX-TV"
],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
"subpoena_statuses": [
"pending"
],
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Reporter for Tampa Bay Times subpoenaed following investigative report",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-for-tampa-bay-times-subpoenaed-in-ongoing-lawsuit-by-gardaworld/",
"first_published_at": "2021-03-02T20:19:04.831601Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-04-30T16:42:13.300645Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-04-30T16:42:13.037928Z",
"date": "2020-12-22",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Tampa",
"longitude": -82.45843,
"latitude": 27.94752,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"w5ze6\">On Dec. 22, 2020, Bethany Barnes, an investigative reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, said she was subpoenaed by GardaWorld, a security services company, for documents relating to a series of investigative reports that revealed irregularities in maintenance and safety protocols at the company.</p><p data-block-key=\"kwnwo\">The subpoena was issued in connection to a 2017 lawsuit by GardaWorld in Manatee County, Florida, against the company’s former director of risk management, Christine Bouquin, whom Garda has accused of stealing company records. According to the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2020/12/22/gardaworld-attorneys-subpoena-records-from-times-reporter/#:~:text=A%20Tampa%20Bay%20Times%20reporter%20was%20served%20Tuesday%20with%20a,operates%20fleets%20of%20armored%20trucks.\">Times</a>, the subpoena requested all documents and communications between Barnes, Bouquin and Bouquin’s lawyer, Noel McDonell.</p><p data-block-key=\"lv2y7\">In March 2020, the Times published its <a href=\"https://projects.tampabay.com/projects/2020/investigations/garda-world/armored-trucks/\">first investigative story</a> about GardaWorld, describing how the armored truck service the company operates in the U.S. had been neglectful in the training of its drivers and how maintenance requests made by the drivers had largely been ignored. The report quoted Bouquin, who said she had noticed issues in the company’s maintenance and safety system, and alleged that she was terminated a day after she sent an email to her supervisor about the company’s safety issues.</p><p data-block-key=\"b4qor\">GardaWorld had threatened to sue the Times if it published its story about the company’s safety issues, according to the <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2020/12/22/gardaworld-attorneys-subpoena-records-from-times-reporter/\">Times</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"h58p1\">In a <a href=\"https://projects.tampabay.com/projects/2020/investigations/garda-world/vaults/\">second report</a>, published in October, the Times found “that Garda lost track of millions of dollars inside its vaults, then concealed the missing money from the banks that were its clients.” The report alleged that Garda also told its employees to downplay the cost of truck accidents in order to misrepresent the company’s value.</p><p data-block-key=\"v4j54\">In December, Barnes took to <a href=\"https://twitter.com/BetsBarnes/status/1341536445593493504\">Twitter</a>, writing, “Some news: I have been served with a subpoena today.” The tweet also quoted attorney Carol LoCicero, who represents the paper, saying, “The Times would fight any subpoena that attempts to extract information reporters have obtained during the course of their reporting, and we plan to fight this one.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Some news: I was served with a subpoena today. <br><br>“The Times would fight any subpoena that attempts to extract information reporters have obtained during the course of their reporting, and we plan to fight this one.” <a href=\"https://t.co/eKNMwx6Uwt\">https://t.co/eKNMwx6Uwt</a></p>— Bethany Barnes (@BetsBarnes) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/BetsBarnes/status/1341536445593493504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 23, 2020</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"0415a\">The outlet also published an <a href=\"https://www.tampabay.com/news/2020/12/22/gardaworld-attorneys-subpoena-records-from-times-reporter/\">article on the subpoena</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"2lqjr\">Neither Barnes nor LoCicero responded to a request for comment as of press time.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Barnes_subpoena.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"kil92\">An excerpt of security company GardaWorld’s Dec. 22, 2020, subpoena of Tampa Bay Times reporter Bethany Barnes for her communications with a former GardaWorld employee, after Barnes published several investigative reports on the company.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": null,
"was_journalist_targeted": null,
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": "journalist communications or work product",
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": "State",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Florida",
"abbreviation": "FL"
},
"updates": [
"(2024-04-18 00:00:00+00:00) Security company drops subpoena of Tampa reporter"
],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Bethany Barnes (Tampa Bay Times)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": [
"pending"
],
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Photojournalist assaulted while covering anti-lockdown protest at Oregon Capitol",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/photojournalist-assaulted-while-covering-anti-lockdown-protest-at-oregon-capitol/",
"first_published_at": "2022-02-04T14:32:57.173288Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-11-03T15:20:45.650197Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-11-02T19:13:58.479875Z",
"date": "2020-12-21",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Salem",
"longitude": -123.0351,
"latitude": 44.9429,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"6cfqh\">Two journalists were assaulted by an individual while documenting an anti-lockdown protest at the Oregon Capitol in Salem on Dec. 21, 2020.</p><p data-block-key=\"dt9eu\">KGW8 <a href=\"https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/protesters-gather-at-oregon-capitol-special-session/283-69f03372-80d5-48f3-8396-8847024119fb\">reported</a> that far-right group Patriot Prayer had organized the demonstration at the Capitol, where lawmakers had convened for a special one-day session to address bills related to COVID-19 and wildfire relief.</p><p data-block-key=\"cr5aj\">Oregon Public Broadcasting reporter Sergio Olmos <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1341130302404481024\">tweeted</a> at 1:15 p.m. that police had already declared it an unlawful assembly and officers in riot gear were stationing themselves about a block from the Capitol. Olmos, who declined the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker’s request for comment, posted pictures and videos in subsequent tweets showing individuals gathered around the building’s west-side entrance. Some can be seen using <a href=\"https://www.statesmanjournal.com/picture-gallery/news/politics/2020/12/21/photos-protesters-attempt-force-their-way-into-oregon-state-capitol/3995267001/\">poles</a> and <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1341136393255325696\">their legs</a> to break a pair of glass doors.</p><p data-block-key=\"2npa2\">Brian Hayes, a photojournalist for the Statesman Journal, told the Tracker that he’d been taking photos of this scene shortly before 1:30 p.m. when one of the men — whom Hayes identified as Albany resident Jeremy Roberts — noticed him.</p><p data-block-key=\"1hir\">Hayes said that Roberts had grabbed a 10-pound weight being used to hold down a tent outside the Capitol and was swinging it toward the glass door when the two locked eyes.</p><p data-block-key=\"d7kb7\">“He acted like he was actually going to throw [the weight] at me, thought better of it, dropped it and then jumped down, got in my face and pushed me around,” Hayes said.</p><p data-block-key=\"6um1k\">In a <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1341136507143262209\">video</a> posted by Olmos, Roberts — who can be seen in a camouflage-print hoodie and black baseball hat — appears to shove and yell at Hayes, who attempts to walk away from him with his arms held up. A second man appears to run toward Hayes and shoves him back. When Hayes again attempts to walk away from the men, the second man appears to shove and punch Hayes; a third man, who had been standing to the side, shoves Hayes as well.</p><p data-block-key=\"c166n\">Hayes can be heard shouting, “I’m getting out of here!” The third man again shoves Hayes, who catches himself against the wall of the Capitol. Others in the crowd can be heard shouting, “See ya, buddy!”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"und\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https://t.co/bXCNjTrOtE\">pic.twitter.com/bXCNjTrOtE</a></p>— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1341136507143262209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 21, 2020</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"6cfqh\">Hayes said a right-wing livestreamer eventually reached him, wrapped his arm around him and led him out of the area. Hayes noted that he was wearing a press pass around his neck and was carrying his professional camera.</p><p data-block-key=\"e4eup\">A few minutes later, Hayes said he was standing with two other reporters approximately 50 to 100 feet from the demonstrators when another individual approached and started threatening them. Olmos <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1341137689509199872\">captured</a> part of that interaction and what followed.</p><p data-block-key=\"4vcca\">“As we’re standing there … Jeremy comes back over and he’s still pretty keyed up and he gets in my face and threatens to beat me up,” Hayes said. In the footage, Roberts can be seen positioning himself nose-to-nose against Hayes, saying, “You took a picture of me.”</p><p data-block-key=\"funn3\">“At that point I decided, ‘Not worth it,’ and walked away to deescalate the situation,” Hayes said.</p><p data-block-key=\"a94c5\">As Hayes looked back a few minutes later, however, he said he saw Roberts lunge at Olmos and tackle him to the ground. The Tracker has documented Olmos’ assault <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/two-journalists-assaulted-while-covering-anti-lockdown-protest-at-oregon-capitol/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"ap8ac\">“I bolted over there to check on Sergio and make sure he was all right,” Hayes said, “and I got him out of there.”</p><p data-block-key=\"6bkgo\">Hayes said both journalists then left the area and walked a block away to where Oregon State Police had set up a police line.</p><p data-block-key=\"cumbp\">The Statesman Journal <a href=\"https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/crime/2020/12/28/man-wanted-allegedly-attacking-two-oregon-journalists-reporters-oregon-state-capitol-during-protests/4060461001/\">reported</a> that both journalists spoke to police about the assaults and gave officers a description of the assailant. A warrant was issued for Roberts’ arrest after an OSP trooper submitted a probable cause statement testifying that they had personally seen Roberts kicking and shattering a door to the Capitol.</p><p data-block-key=\"7rk1i\">KGW8 <a href=\"https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/protesters-gather-at-oregon-capitol-special-session/283-69f03372-80d5-48f3-8396-8847024119fb\">reported</a> that Roberts turned himself in to law enforcement on Dec. 27. Roberts faces charges of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, assault, harassment and probation violation.</p><p data-block-key=\"dkkj2\">The OSP did not respond to an emailed request for comment as of press time.</p></div>",
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"(2021-12-09 00:00:00+00:00) Man sentenced after assaulting photojournalist at Oregon protest"
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{
"title": "Reporter assaulted while covering anti-lockdown protest at Oregon Capitol",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/two-journalists-assaulted-while-covering-anti-lockdown-protest-at-oregon-capitol/",
"first_published_at": "2021-02-26T19:41:54.905661Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-11-03T15:20:49.678278Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-11-02T19:12:23.763014Z",
"date": "2020-12-21",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Salem",
"longitude": -123.0351,
"latitude": 44.9429,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"bwy5t\">Two journalists were assaulted by an individual while documenting an anti-lockdown protest at the Oregon Capitol in Salem on Dec. 21, 2020.</p><p data-block-key=\"quro7\">KGW8 <a href=\"https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/protesters-gather-at-oregon-capitol-special-session/283-69f03372-80d5-48f3-8396-8847024119fb\">reported</a> that far-right group Patriot Prayer had organized the demonstration at the Capitol, where lawmakers had convened for a special one-day session to address bills related to COVID-19 and wildfire relief.</p><p data-block-key=\"slir3\">Oregon Public Broadcasting reporter Sergio Olmos <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1341130302404481024\">tweeted</a> at 1:15 p.m. that police had already declared it an unlawful assembly and officers in riot gear were stationing themselves about a block from the Capitol. Olmos, who declined the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker’s request for comment, posted pictures and videos in subsequent tweets showing individuals gathered around the building’s west-side entrance. Some can be seen using <a href=\"https://www.statesmanjournal.com/picture-gallery/news/politics/2020/12/21/photos-protesters-attempt-force-their-way-into-oregon-state-capitol/3995267001/\">poles</a> and <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1341136393255325696\">their legs</a> to break a pair of glass doors.</p><p data-block-key=\"s5hrb\">Brian Hayes, a photojournalist for the Statesman Journal, told the Tracker that he’d been taking photos of this scene shortly before 1:30 p.m. when one of the men — whom Hayes identified as Albany resident Jeremy Roberts — noticed him.</p><p data-block-key=\"q3xgq\">Hayes said that Roberts had grabbed a 10-pound weight being used to hold down a tent outside the Capitol and was swinging it toward the glass door when the two locked eyes.</p><p data-block-key=\"jmyue\">“He acted like he was actually going to throw [the weight] at me, thought better of it, dropped it and then jumped down, got in my face and pushed me around,” Hayes said.</p><p data-block-key=\"fqv7d\">In a <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1341136507143262209\">video</a> posted by Olmos, Roberts — who can be seen in a camouflage-print hoodie and black baseball hat — appears to shove and yell at Hayes, who attempts to walk away from him with his arms held up. A second man appears to run toward Hayes and shoves him back. When Hayes again attempts to walk away from the men, the second man appears to shove and punch Hayes; a third man, who had been standing to the side, shoves Hayes as well.</p><p data-block-key=\"s8aoj\">Hayes can be heard shouting, “I’m getting out of here!” The third man again shoves Hayes, who catches himself against the wall of the Capitol. Others in the crowd can be heard shouting, “See ya, buddy!”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"und\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https://t.co/bXCNjTrOtE\">pic.twitter.com/bXCNjTrOtE</a></p>— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1341136507143262209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 21, 2020</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"ioewo\">Hayes said a right-wing livestreamer eventually reached him, wrapped his arm around him and led him out of the area. Hayes noted that he was wearing a press pass around his neck and was carrying his professional camera. The Tracker has documented his assault <a href=\"/all-incidents/photojournalist-assaulted-while-covering-anti-lockdown-protest-at-oregon-capitol/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"zkl6q\">A few minutes later, Hayes said he was standing with two other reporters approximately 50 to 100 feet from the demonstrators when another individual approached and started threatening them. Olmos <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1341137689509199872\">captured</a> part of that interaction and what followed.</p><p data-block-key=\"5z68h\">“As we’re standing there … Jeremy comes back over and he’s still pretty keyed up and he gets in my face and threatens to beat me up,” Hayes said. In the footage, Roberts can be seen positioning himself nose-to-nose against Hayes, saying, “You took a picture of me.”</p><p data-block-key=\"eyka5\">“At that point I decided, ‘Not worth it,’ and walked away to deescalate the situation,” Hayes said.</p><p data-block-key=\"rjmlj\">As Hayes looked back a few minutes later, however, he said he saw Roberts lunge at Olmos and tackle him to the ground.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Here is two clips: this man lunges toward me. <br><br>Second clip if after I’m tackled, I get up to walk away. <a href=\"https://t.co/ESaa0BJDS1\">pic.twitter.com/ESaa0BJDS1</a></p>— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1341141601557438468?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 21, 2020</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"54m5z\">“I bolted over there to check on Sergio and make sure he was all right,” Hayes said, “and I got him out of there.”</p><p data-block-key=\"y9iaa\">Hayes said both journalists then left the area and walked a block away to where Oregon State Police had set up a police line.</p><p data-block-key=\"bm1u8\">The Statesman Journal <a href=\"https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/crime/2020/12/28/man-wanted-allegedly-attacking-two-oregon-journalists-reporters-oregon-state-capitol-during-protests/4060461001/\">reported</a> that both journalists spoke to police about the assaults and gave officers a description of the assailant. A warrant was issued for Roberts’ arrest after an OSP trooper submitted a probable cause statement testifying that they had personally seen Roberts kicking and shattering a door to the Capitol.</p><p data-block-key=\"bu6d5\">KGW8 <a href=\"https://www.kgw.com/article/news/politics/protesters-gather-at-oregon-capitol-special-session/283-69f03372-80d5-48f3-8396-8847024119fb\">reported</a> that Roberts turned himself in to law enforcement on Dec. 27. Roberts faces charges of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, assault, harassment and probation violation.</p><p data-block-key=\"p4w7s\">The OSP did not respond to an emailed request for comment as of press time.</p></div>",
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"assailant": "private individual",
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"state": {
"name": "Oregon",
"abbreviation": "OR"
},
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"(2021-12-09 00:00:00+00:00) Man sentenced after assaulting reporter at Oregon protest"
],
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"tags": [
"coronavirus",
"protest",
"shot / shot at"
],
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"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Sergio Olmos (Oregon Public Broadcasting)"
],
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},
{
"title": "Independent journalist struck with munitions while covering Olympia protest, press pass damaged",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/independent-journalist-struck-with-munitions-while-covering-olympia-protest-press-pass-damaged/",
"first_published_at": "2021-03-23T20:19:15.632133Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-11-25T16:36:18.253579Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-11-25T16:36:18.166759Z",
"date": "2020-12-20",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Olympia",
"longitude": -122.9007,
"latitude": 47.03787,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"1dg1l\">Independent videographer Melissa Lewis was hit multiple times by crowd-control munitions while covering dueling demonstrations in downtown Olympia, Washington, on Dec. 12, 2020. One of the rounds struck and damaged her press pass.</p><p data-block-key=\"oyk2z\">Lewis told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker she was covering a “Stop the Steal” protest organized by the far-right group Patriot around the state Capitol, where counterprotesters had also gathered.</p><p data-block-key=\"vh3n0\">“There was a much larger ‘Stop the Steal’ presence than anti-fascist presence, so the anti-fascists were beat back by the far-right very quickly,” Lewis said.</p><p data-block-key=\"qpx7o\">The Olympian <a href=\"https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article247809255.html\">reported</a> that the two groups began to clash around 12:30 p.m., and soon after Olympia police declared a riot and issued orders to disperse.</p><p data-block-key=\"kzf24\">Around 2:30 p.m., Olympian reporter Rolf Boone <a href=\"https://twitter.com/rolf_boone/status/1337886240268402689\">tweeted</a> that police pushed back antifa protesters using flash-bang grenades.</p><p data-block-key=\"9y3ea\">Lewis told the Tracker the Olympia Police Department officers were using small, round flash-bang grenades, some of which contained OC “pepper” capsaicin dust, an irritant also used in some tear gas and pepper sprays.</p><p data-block-key=\"9jmcx\">As the officers pushed the antifascist counterprotesters away from downtown, Lewis said officers blocked the north and south sides of the street, forcing protesters to choose between facing them or entering a private parking garage.</p><p data-block-key=\"fedx9\">“It was pretty overwhelming,” Lewis said, adding that police were using so many chemical irritants that residue built up in her eyes.</p><p data-block-key=\"qjmct\">“[It got] to the point that it was gritty and I had to have my eyes washed out,” Lewis said, “and I was afraid that it might scratch my corneas.”</p><p data-block-key=\"j70nc\">Lewis said she was physically struck twice in the thigh and once in the chest with the plastic flash-bang grenades. The one that struck her in the chest damaged the press pass from the Industrial Workers of the World Freelance Journalists Union that she was wearing on a lanyard.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I was hit in the chest with a flash bang fragment. It blew my press pass apart. <a href=\"https://t.co/oz4K4CPd82\">pic.twitter.com/oz4K4CPd82</a></p>— Melissa “Claudio” Lewis (@Claudio_Report) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/Claudio_Report/status/1338143716985372674?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 13, 2020</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"k3d0w\">“If they had been the [flash-bang grenade] canisters, I would have been incredibly injured and I’m honestly very glad they were the plastic kind,” Lewis said. She added that the multiple layers she was wearing because of the cold also prevented her from being harmed more extensively.</p><p data-block-key=\"qx62h\">Lewis said that in addition to the press pass around her neck, she had “PRESS” markings on her backpack. Lewis said she believed police were deliberately targeting her because the incident took place in broad daylight and because of her identifying markings.</p><p data-block-key=\"ndq1z\">The Olympia Police Department did not respond to an emailed request for comment.</p></div>",
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{
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"equipment": "press identification"
}
],
"state": {
"name": "Washington",
"abbreviation": "WA"
},
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"tags": [
"election",
"Election 2020",
"protest"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault",
"Equipment Damage"
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{
"title": "Multimedia journalist subpoenaed by grand jury",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/multimedia-journalist-subpoenaed-grand-jury/",
"first_published_at": "2020-12-22T19:02:46.403715Z",
"last_published_at": "2021-05-21T18:37:10.196367Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2021-05-21T18:37:10.142814Z",
"date": "2020-12-09",
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"city": "Rochester",
"longitude": -77.61556,
"latitude": 43.15478,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p>Tina MacIntyre-Yee, a multimedia journalist at the Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester, New York, was called to testify before a grand jury on Dec. 16, 2020, according to <a href=\"https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2020/12/16/democrat-and-chronicle-photojournalist-subpoenaed-grand-jury/3919565001/\">an article</a> from her employer, which MacIntyre-Yee verified to the Committee to Protect Journalists.</p><p>The journalist said that she complied with the subpoena, though did not offer compromising material about her sources.</p><p>MacIntyre-Yee has reported on recent civil unrest in Rochester that followed both the death of Goerge Floyd, a Black man in Minneapolis police custody, and the disclosure that Daniel Prude, a Black man, died while in Rochester police custody, <a href=\"https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2020/12/16/democrat-and-chronicle-photojournalist-subpoenaed-grand-jury/3919565001/\">according</a> to the Democrat & Chronicle.</p><p>The subpoena related to MacIntyre-Yee’s reporting on these protests, the Democrat and Chronicle article stated.</p><p>During a conversation with CPJ, MacIntyre-Yee said that she was first notified of the subpoena on Dec. 9 in a phone call by the Monroe District Attorney’s office. The DA’s office then sent a copy of the subpoena to MacIntyre-Yee via email.</p><p>MacIntyre-Yee said she was concerned about how the subpoena would affect her ability to report on protests.</p><p>“I would like to be seen as someone who’s taking pictures of everything that’s happening and videos of everything that’s happening, and I don’t want people to feel intimidated,” she said.</p><p>The Monroe County District Attorney’s office told CPJ in an email that they do not comment about Grand Jury subpoenas or testimony.</p></div>",
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"state": {
"name": "New York",
"abbreviation": "NY"
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"tags": [
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{
"title": "Journalist handcuffed, removed from North Carolina courtroom after requesting press access to a hearing",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-handcuffed-removed-from-north-carolina-courtroom-after-requesting-press-access-to-a-hearing/",
"first_published_at": "2021-02-26T19:44:18.255831Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-12-20T22:00:31.923340Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2023-12-20T22:00:31.834274Z",
"date": "2020-12-08",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Graham",
"longitude": -79.40058,
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"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"kq18h\">Tom Boney Jr., the publisher of the Graham-based weekly Alamance News, was removed from a courtroom in handcuffs and threatened with contempt of court charges in Graham, North Carolina, on Dec. 8, 2020.</p><p data-block-key=\"y6ub6\">The incident with Boney came amid a dispute between a local judge and three media outlets seeking access to a trial. The Charlotte News & Observer <a href=\"https://www.newsobserver.com/article247695930.html\">reported</a> that its journalists, and those from local alternative weekly Triad City Beat, were told earlier that week that members of the press would not be allowed to observe a trial in Alamance County’s Historic Courthouse, per a decision by Judge Fred Wilkins (the paper did not report whether Wilkins gave a reason for barring reporters).</p><p data-block-key=\"600w8\">Wilkins was presiding over the trial of Sandrea W. Brazee, a 52-year-old white woman accused of driving her car at two Black girls. The News & Observer reported that a week earlier Wilkins also prevented journalists from attending the trial of Rev. Greg Drumwright, who had organized an Oct. 31 march to the polls where police pepper sprayed the crowd and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/least-nine-journalists-affected-chemical-irritant-during-march-polls/\">members of the press</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"9qzjg\">On the morning of the Brazee trial, Boney entered the courtroom to present Wilkins with a letter from attorney C. Amanda Martin on behalf of Alamance News, the News & Observer and Triad City Beat. The letter requested a hearing on Wilkins’s decision to close the court to the media. The same morning, Boney had also delivered letters to Senior Resident Superior Court Judge D. Thomas Lambeth and Chief District Court Judge Bradley Reid Allen Jr. — who oversee various courthouse administrative and official duties — urging that courtrooms remain open to the press during the COVID-19 pandemic, in compliance with the state’s constitution and the First Amendment.</p><p data-block-key=\"sxvcn\">The North Carolina <a href=\"https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Constitution/NCConstitution.html\">state constitution</a> maintains that “all courts shall be open,” with exceptions only in cases where there is a compelling reason, <a href=\"https://www.rcfp.org/open-courts-compendium/north-carolina/\">according to</a> the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.</p><p data-block-key=\"xf4ie\">During the court proceeding, Wilkins noted the motion filed by the three news organizations calling for transparency and reconsideration of the judge’s exclusion of the press, the News & Observer reported. When Boney identified himself and attempted to explain the request, Wilkins cut him off and said he had already ruled on the matter, according to the paper.</p><p data-block-key=\"ttyw4\">The News & Observer reported that Wilkins then told Boney, “The courtroom is not closed,” gesturing to other people in the room, but, “It’s closed to you.”</p><p data-block-key=\"bi1gl\">“I’ve made my ruling,” Wilkins said. “The next ruling I will make is a contempt citation.”</p><p data-block-key=\"bq2w6\">The News & Observer reported that when Boney continued to object, Wilkins said, “You’re going to jail,” and had deputies remove the publisher from the courtroom in handcuffs. Boney told the News & Observer that Wilkins then said he would not pursue the contempt charge if the publisher agreed to leave the courthouse. Boney said he eventually agreed and was escorted from the building.</p><p data-block-key=\"v0m1c\">“They were really quite rough in handcuffing me and claiming that I’m resisting,” Boney said. “I wouldn’t have been surprised if they had broken my wrist.”</p><p data-block-key=\"mnahd\">Boney later <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2020/12/11/north-carolina-judge-is-blocking-journalists-his-courtroom-one-objected-got-handcuffed/\">told The Washington Post</a> Wilkins’s actions were a “heavy-handed and unreasonable reaction.”</p><p data-block-key=\"4qhf3\">“People need to know how decisions are arrived at — was the conclusion, the verdict, the pleading, fair? Was it reasonable?” Boney said. “The problem is I have no way to evaluate it, because I wasn’t there.”</p><p data-block-key=\"3z5sx\">Boney didn’t respond to an emailed request for comment.</p><p data-block-key=\"dxh3b\">“We realize it is appropriate for courts to undertake certain measures during these pandemic times to limit exposure but closing down access to the press entirely is not one of them and removing a newspaper publisher in handcuffs is certainly not appropriate and is quite discouraging,” Phil Lucey, president of the North Carolina Press Association, <a href=\"https://www.thetimesnews.com/story/news/2020/12/09/alamance-court-closed-reporters-like-tom-boney-could-appealed/3872413001/\">told the Times-News</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"1a4op\">Lucey said that the court gave “no written ruling outlining the basis for the closing of the courtroom,” and thus “we cannot assume this was anything other than an effort to block access to the press from the court proceedings.”</p><p data-block-key=\"c85zx\">The three newspapers filed an emergency petition with the North Carolina Court of Appeals on Dec. 10, The Associated Press <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/journalists-newspapers-north-carolina-coronavirus-pandemic-courts-908e35c93f1f66ec21a0bcba43500135\">reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"2u2u9\">“Even accepting that the COVID-19 pandemic creates a compelling need to safeguard public health by imposing some limits on access to courtrooms, the draconian restrictions imposed by Judge Wilkins were not necessary to serve that interest,” attorney Martin wrote in the emergency appeal.</p></div>",
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{
"title": "Journalist assaulted, her phone and finger smashed while covering Portland eviction protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-assaulted-her-phone-and-finger-smashed-while-covering-portland-eviction-protest/",
"first_published_at": "2021-01-13T22:15:12.710242Z",
"last_published_at": "2023-10-27T21:48:18.641950Z",
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"date": "2020-12-08",
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"city": "Portland",
"longitude": -122.67621,
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"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"u14k8\">KATU ABC 2 reporter Genevieve Reaume was assaulted and had her phone smashed by individuals participating in an eviction protest in Portland, Oregon, on Dec. 8, 2020.</p><p data-block-key=\"2k2gq\">Reaume and KATU ABC 2 photojournalist Ric Peavyhouse were covering a protest against the feared eviction of a Black and Indigenous family from their foreclosed home in North Portland. Activists had been camping out at the property on North Mississippi Avenue — known as the “Red House” — for months when law enforcement came in on the morning of<a href=\"https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2020/12/at-least-7-arrested-at-n-mississippi-home-where-protesters-have-camped-to-prevent-eviction.html\"> Dec. 8 to try to take control of the house</a>. As more protesters poured into the area, there were clashes with law enforcement before officers withdrew. Protesters ultimately<a href=\"https://www.opb.org/article/2020/12/09/portland-family-explains-problems-that-led-to-foreclosure-as-protest-blockade-continues/\"> built barricades blocking streets in the area</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"s25hc\">Speaking to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, Reaume says she and Peavyhouse had spent an hour in the early afternoon of Dec. 8 interviewing people in the neighborhood before deciding to enter the barricaded zone. As they came upon a barricade, Reaume says they were approached by protesters trying to block their cameras with umbrellas and telling them they could not film there. After they walked away and let the situation calm down, they decided once more to enter the area.</p><p data-block-key=\"e133e\">“Immediately somebody started yelling, ‘Film crew,’” Reaume said. “That’s when a dozen or so, a dozen and a half people started coming over towards us, surrounding Ric’s camera with their umbrellas and their bodies.”</p><p data-block-key=\"qwlxn\">Aware that Peavyhouse’s camera was blocked by protesters, Reaume pulled out her cellphone and began to record video. As she attempted to film, she says a man kept pushing her and trying to grab her phone. When he succeeded in knocking it out of her hand, he then smashed it on the ground and pushed her away again as she tried to retrieve it.</p><p data-block-key=\"c5d5p\">“I finally was able to get my hand onto it and he just stomped on my hand,” she told the Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"w44rq\">Reaume’s left middle finger was cut open, an injury that she had to have glued shut at an urgent care. The incident left her work phone inoperable and with a cracked screen.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Sorry for the blood. Hand isn’t broken, thankfully! Wound was glued up at urgent care. <a href=\"https://t.co/YktY4XCrLC\">pic.twitter.com/YktY4XCrLC</a></p>— Genevieve Reaume (@GenevieveReaume) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/GenevieveReaume/status/1336497257063976961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 9, 2020</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"vuyme\"><a href=\"https://twitter.com/RPeavyhouse/status/1336433147009925122\">In a video captured by Peavyhouse</a>, umbrellas can be seen trying to block his camera in the run up to the assault while a voice is heard yelling, “There’s a film crew coming through. They’re not our friends. Hide your faces! Don’t trust them! Film crew walking through!”</p><p data-block-key=\"dakhm\">As the protesters surround the journalists and tell them to leave, a woman can be heard saying, “We got cameras we need.”</p><p data-block-key=\"7838g\"><a href=\"https://twitter.com/GenevieveReaume/status/1336496844231245824\">In Reaume’s shorter video of the confrontation,</a> she can be heard explaining to protesters that “this is our job.”</p><p data-block-key=\"zclrq\">“I don’t care. This is our life,” responds one. “Your job is hurting us,” says another.</p><p data-block-key=\"zavmo\">Then, the phone appears to tumble to the ground, landing with its camera facing skyward as an individual brings their foot down on the device.</p><p data-block-key=\"bsgj3\">As Reaume and Peavyhouse moved to leave the area following the assault, protesters followed them, with some taunting her and shouting, “Bye, bitch!” and “Fuck your hand!”</p><p data-block-key=\"emru3\">Contacted by the Tracker, the Portland Police Bureau did not comment on the incident.</p><p data-block-key=\"9csbf\">Reaume said she believes she and Peavyhouse had not been wearing anything branded with their station’s name, though they still very obviously looked like a TV news crew, she said.</p><p data-block-key=\"ew3d8\">Other Oregon news outlets noted a general hostility toward the press inside the barricaded zone.</p><p data-block-key=\"r8r7n\"><a href=\"https://www.opb.org/article/2020/12/10/portland-red-house-eviction-blockade-protest/\">According to Oregon Public Broadcasting</a>, protesters inside the barricaded zone banned “anyone from taking photos or videos, including pedestrians and neighbors out walking” while limiting livestreamers to a designated area.</p><p data-block-key=\"eu43x\"><a href=\"https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2020/12/activists-work-to-block-journalists-from-full-accurate-coverage-of-occupation-outside-red-house-in-n-portland.html\">And the Oregonian reported</a> that a building in the area had “Fuck Press” spray-painted on it.</p></div>",
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{
"quantity": 1,
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}
],
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"name": "Oregon",
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},
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],
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{
"title": "Judge quashes subpoena for former KRON 4 reporter’s testimony",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/judge-quashes-subpoena-for-former-kron-4-reporters-testimony/",
"first_published_at": "2021-07-06T20:40:20.799930Z",
"last_published_at": "2022-04-06T15:19:01.627907Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2022-04-06T15:19:01.553189Z",
"date": "2020-12-07",
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"city": "Redwood City",
"longitude": -122.23635,
"latitude": 37.48522,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"5kg71\">A judge in California on March 8, 2021, quashed a subpoena for testimony from journalist Kate Cagle about a 2015 interview she conducted as a reporter for the San Francisco Bay Area TV news station KRON 4, according to the<a href=\"https://padailypost.com/2021/03/11/tv-reporter-wont-have-to-testify-at-upcoming-murder-trial/\"> Palo Alto Daily Post</a>. The San Mateo district attorney’s office had filed the subpoena on Dec. 7, 2020, seeking Cagle’s testimony about an interview she did with a man accused of murder.</p><p data-block-key=\"wqr5y\">Cagle, now a reporter for Spectrum News 1 in Los Angeles, interviewed the defendant in the murder trial, Daniel Contreras, at the San Mateo County Jail on Aug. 9, 2015, one day after Contreras was arrested for allegedly killing a toddler, according to the Post.</p><p data-block-key=\"6e11t\">During the interview, Contreras said the child fell from his hands, contradicting an earlier statement to police that she had fallen from a table, the Post reported. According to the Post, Contreras also told the journalist he had “made a mistake.”</p><p data-block-key=\"q1ibn\">According to the Post, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said at a court hearing on March 8 that the prosecutor’s office sought testimony from Cagle to confirm that she was working independently from police when she interviewed Contreras. A detective with the Redwood City Police Department was present at the time of the interview and reminded the defendant of his Miranda rights, the Post reported.</p><p data-block-key=\"vl5d4\">Attorneys for Cagle argued that the California Shield law protected the journalist from being compelled to testify.</p><p data-block-key=\"zdyaq\">San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Robert Foiles sided with Cagle, ruling that the prosecutor could not subpoena her to testify.</p><p data-block-key=\"r1mr8\">Wagstaffe’s office and KRON 4 did not respond to a request for comment. Cagle declined to comment.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"assailant": null,
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"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": "other testimony",
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"legal_order_venue": "State",
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"state": {
"name": "California",
"abbreviation": "CA"
},
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],
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"quashed"
],
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},
{
"title": "ICE drops subpoena around BuzzFeed News story on Trump administration deportation policy",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ice-drops-subpoena-around-buzzfeed-news-story-on-trump-administration-deportation-policy/",
"first_published_at": "2021-03-02T19:23:23.243199Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-02-06T20:02:58.651073Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-02-06T20:02:58.559890Z",
"date": "2020-12-01",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": null,
"longitude": null,
"latitude": null,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"lqigo\">The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said on Dec. 9, 2020, that it would not enforce a subpoena issued to BuzzFeed News the previous week. ICE’s subpoena had sought information BuzzFeed gathered in reporting a story on deportation policy.</p><p data-block-key=\"25hpv\">BuzzFeed’s <a href=\"https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/hamedaleaziz/ice-fast-track-deportations\">article</a>, published on Oct. 7, divulged the contents of emails and a memo about ICE plans to implement a Trump administration policy significantly expanding fast-track deportations of undocumented immigrants. The expanded deportation policy was initially blocked in 2019 by a federal judge, but that judge’s injunction was lifted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in June 2020, allowing ICE to begin implementing the wider fast-track deportation program.</p><p data-block-key=\"m0dpj\">BuzzFeed <a href=\"https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/hamedaleaziz/ice-subpoena-buzzfeed-immigration-sources\">publicly reported on the subpoena</a>, issued Dec. 1, and said it sought information about emails the news organization obtained that had been sent to ICE attorneys. The subpoena demanded BuzzFeed “provide all documentation including, but not limited to: (1) date of receipt, (2) method of receipt, (3) source of document, and (4) contact information for the source of the document.” The subpoena ordered the information be turned over by Dec. 22, 2020, and requested that BuzzFeed not disclose the issuance of the subpoena.</p><p data-block-key=\"gbc95\">In the article on the subpoena, BuzzFeed News Editor-in-Chief Mark Schoofs said, "BuzzFeed News emphatically rejects any requests for information about possible sources and methods of our reporting.”</p><p data-block-key=\"vbftd\">On Dec. 9, BuzzFeed <a href=\"https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/hamedaleaziz/ice-trump-subpoena-buzzfeed-news\">reported</a> that ICE would not be enforcing the subpoena.</p><p data-block-key=\"um5qf\">ICE also issued a statement saying, “In response to the summons, the media outlet subsequently declined to provide details regarding the sources of the unauthorized disclosure of law enforcement sensitive information. At this time, ICE will not enforce the summons and will pursue the investigation through other channels.”<br/></p></div>",
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"state": {
"name": "Virginia",
"abbreviation": "VA"
},
"updates": [],
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"targeted_institutions": [
"BuzzFeed News"
],
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],
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"categories": [
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},
{
"title": "Journalist subpoenaed in the prosecution of a serial killer",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-subpoenaed-in-the-prosecution-of-a-serial-killer/",
"first_published_at": "2021-03-01T21:12:23.049960Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-04-01T19:33:46.649850Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-04-01T19:33:46.544596Z",
"date": "2020-11-25",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "San Bernardino",
"longitude": -117.28977,
"latitude": 34.10834,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"ehotg\">On Nov. 25, 2020, journalist and author Jillian Lauren Shriner was subpoenaed by Samuel Little for “unpublished communications with her sources.” The subpoena was issued in connection to Little’s prosecution in the killing of a woman in San Bernardino, California.</p><p data-block-key=\"8d64q\">In <a href=\"https://www.npr.org/2018/11/28/671664337/fbi-says-78-year-old-prisoner-has-confessed-to-90-murders\">2018</a>, Little, who the <a href=\"https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/samuel-little-most-prolific-serial-killer-in-us-history-100619\">FBI says</a> is the most prolific serial killer in U.S. history, confessed to some 90 murders committed between 1970 and 2005. Fifty of the confessions made by Little have been verified by law enforcement, <a href=\"https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/samuel-little-most-prolific-serial-killer-in-us-history-100619\">according to the FBI</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"ce0q0\">Shriner started talking to Little after she’d interviewed an Los Angeles Police Department detective who had prosecuted him and suspected him of having committed several additional unsolved murders across the country. In her interviews with Little, who at the time was serving three consecutive life sentences for murdering three women in Los Angeles, he <a href=\"https://www.thecut.com/2018/12/how-serial-killer-samuel-little-was-caught.html\">confessed to dozens</a> of additional homicides.</p><p data-block-key=\"139cf\">A trial court compelled Shriner to comply with the subpoena. On Dec. 23, Shriner appealed the decision with the California Court of Appeal, stating that “to disclose unpublished communications with her sources flagrantly violates California’s shield laws” and that the decision “disregards the fundamental principle, enshrined in California’s Constitution, that journalists must be independent of the judicial process and able to protect their unpublished information, including communications with sources. The Court of Appeal stayed the trial court’s order.</p><p data-block-key=\"8eq0b\">On Dec. 30, Little, 80, died, rendering the criminal case against him and the subpoena <a href=\"https://www.rcfp.org/briefs-comments/shriner-v-superior-court/\">effectively moot</a>. The Court of Appeal, though, has not yet dismissed the case and, on Feb. 2, 2021, granted the public defender’s request for an extension to file its response to Shriner’s petition by March 11.</p><p data-block-key=\"djts6\">Neither Shriner nor the public defender’s office responded to a request for comment as of press time.</p></div>",
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"(2021-04-30 00:00:00+00:00) Subpoena of journalist in the prosecution of a serial killer dropped following defendants death"
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{
"title": "Journalist hit with pepper ball, sprayed with chemical irritant while covering protest in Omaha",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-hit-with-pepper-ball-sprayed-with-chemical-irritant-while-covering-protest-in-omaha/",
"first_published_at": "2021-02-25T20:23:12.953865Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-06-10T20:58:29.472696Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-06-10T20:58:29.386279Z",
"date": "2020-11-22",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Omaha",
"longitude": -95.94043,
"latitude": 41.25626,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"mlqut\">Journalist Ross Mosier was hit with a pepper ball and an unidentified crowd-control spray used by police officers while covering a protest in Omaha, Nebraska, on Nov. 22, 2020.</p><p data-block-key=\"ms9wo\">On the night of Nov. 22, protesters had gathered outside the central headquarters of the Omaha Police Department in downtown Omaha. The demonstrators were protesting against the Nov. 19 <a href=\"https://omaha.com/news/local/fatal-shooting-of-a-man-by-omaha-police-sparks-protest-outside-police-headquarters/article_fe7847a6-5d33-5d93-96e8-642af2272600.html\">killing</a> of a Nebraska man, Kenneth Jones, by a police officer, and demanding that authorities release body cam footage of the incident.</p><p data-block-key=\"wdf8v\">Mosier is a photojournalist working with <a href=\"https://www.kualdomcreations.com/\">Kualdom Creations</a>, an independent media company based in Lincoln, Nebraska, that frequently livestreams protests in the state. He told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that shortly after 9 p.m. that night he got caught in the middle of a clash between police officers and a small group of counterprotesters. At one point, he was able to find a clearing in the crowd and began walking away from the skirmish, he said.</p><p data-block-key=\"zkc67\">As he approached a street corner, he saw a group of police officers walking toward him, and one of them shot a pepper ball at his foot, Mosier told the Tracker. Mosier said the police officer yelled at him to get out of the way, so he turned to walk in another direction — but then felt what appeared to be tear gas or another irritant hit him in the face.</p><p data-block-key=\"lvbpm\">“I was out of the way and the police officers were behind me,” Mosier told the Tracker. “I was ten feet away in the opposite direction.” In footage of the incident reviewed by the Tracker, a police officer is shown firing a chemical irritant into a crowd and in Mosier’s direction. It’s not clear in the video whether the officer meant to deliberately target Mosier.</p><p data-block-key=\"qdg38\">Mosier said he was carrying a camera and wearing a press badge but did not have an opportunity to identify himself to police as a member of the press. However, he said that he and the other journalists working with Kualdom Creations have had frequent run-ins with police officers. In July, Kualdom Creations founder Jazari Kual was <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/omaha-police-detain-journalist-during-protest-refusing-believe-he-media/\">detained</a> and held for over an hour by Omaha police officers who doubted his professional status. He eventually was released without charge.</p><p data-block-key=\"267xx\">An officer with the Public Information Office of the Omaha Police Department told the Tracker in an email that the department was unaware of the incident and had not received any related incident reports or complaints.</p><p data-block-key=\"olxht\">Mosier said the irritant gas or spray left him unable to see for roughly half an hour as he tried to flush his eyes, so he left the protest and went home to continue treating his eyes.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A member of <a href=\"https://twitter.com/Kualdom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Kualdom</a> team got a pepperball to the foot and maced earlier - despite being a clearly credentialed journalist</p>— Mel Buer (@coldbrewedtool) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/coldbrewedtool/status/1330709881863761921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 23, 2020</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"xmz20\">The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker is documenting several hundred incidents of journalists assaulted, arrested, struck by crowd-control ammunition or tear gas or had their equipment damaged while covering protests across the country. Find <a href=\"/blog/blm-and-unprecedented-aggressions-against-media/\">these incidents here</a>.</p></div>",
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"assailant": "law enforcement",
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"state": {
"name": "Nebraska",
"abbreviation": "NE"
},
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"tags": [
"Black Lives Matter",
"chemical irritant",
"protest",
"shot / shot at"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
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{
"title": "Journalist shoved, threatened by armed individual at pro-police rally in Portland",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-shoved-threatened-armed-individual-pro-police-rally-portland/",
"first_published_at": "2021-01-29T16:13:46.150482Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-06-10T20:58:53.649649Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-06-10T20:58:53.529983Z",
"date": "2020-11-19",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Portland",
"longitude": -122.67621,
"latitude": 45.52345,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"ljp96\">Videographer Garrison Davis was shoved by armed pro-police demonstrators, including one who bumped the journalist’s <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hungrybowtie/status/1329571909634179073?s=20\">smartphone with a rifle butt</a> while he covered a Nov. 19, 2020, rally in downtown Portland, Oregon, the journalist tweeted and told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"gwm1g\">Protests had been held In Portland on almost a nightly basis since late May in response to police violence and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement following the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The Tracker is <a href=\"/blog/blm-and-unprecedented-aggressions-against-media/\">documenting assaults, arrests and other incidents</a> involving journalists covering protests across the country.</p><p data-block-key=\"02iax\">Tensions also were <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1329559611695792128?s=20\">high in Portland</a> and cities throughout the U.S. in the wake of President Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election.</p><p data-block-key=\"bg2t1\">Davis worked as an independent journalist throughout much of the unrest and in November began co-hosting “Uprising: A Guide From Portland,” a podcast focusing on protests in Portland, for iHeartRadio.</p><p data-block-key=\"b1nwj\">On Nov. 19, about 30 people gathered in front of the Multnomah County Justice Center for a “Back the Blue” rally, Davis told the Tracker. He <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hungrybowtie/status/1329556487597768704?s=20\">tweeted</a> that participants expressed messages of support for Trump, law enforcement and the Second Amendment, and espoused conspiracy theories about vaccines for COVID-19 and other topics.</p><p data-block-key=\"vxw2y\">He posted that the event drew counterprotesters who gathered on the opposite side of South Third Avenue from the rally. Members of the opposing groups <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1329544648310755329?s=20\">yelled taunts across the street</a> at each other and eventually <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hungrybowtie/status/1329545998075478017?s=20\">counterprotesters crossed the divide</a> to the right-wing rally to confront participants.</p><p data-block-key=\"1juva\">“A few of the antifascist counter demonstrators cross the street,” Davis wrote in a <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hungrybowtie/status/1329545998075478017\">Twitter post</a>. “Members of the back the blue crowd start shoving people around.”</p><p data-block-key=\"w9o0k\">Davis recorded a Back the Blue protester wearing a gas mask and a camouflage helmet and <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hungrybowtie/status/1329545998075478017?s=20\">vest confronting him and demanding that he move away</a> from the rally.</p><p data-block-key=\"79n22\">“I will take that fucking camera. Back up,” the individual said before shoving Davis, which was captured in a video that Davis posted at about 2 p.m. Davis told the Tracker that the assailant pushed him with a metal rod.</p><p data-block-key=\"czmh3\">“The back the blue/Maga crowd continue to shove me around. I am very clearly marked press,” <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hungrybowtie/status/1329547294962712576?s=20\">Davis wrote in the Twitter thread</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"uv7dy\">Davis also captured <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hungrybowtie/status/1329546598330687493?s=20\">footage of the same assailant</a> extending the stock on a rifle and clipping the weapon to his vest. Davis gets into another scuffle with that individual, who at one point bumps the journalist’s smartphone with the butt of his rifle.</p><p data-block-key=\"j8sew\">“I don’t like you. Get the fuck out of here,” the assailant says to Davis.</p><p data-block-key=\"80a0n\">Davis and reporter Sergio Olmos, <a href=\"https://www.opb.org/article/2020/11/20/pro-police-demonstrators-carry-guns-scuffle-with-detractors-in-downtown-portland/\">who reported on the event</a> for Oregon Public Broadcasting, captured footage of police officers taking the <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1329552253879926785\">armed assailant into custody</a>. It isn’t clear whether officers issued a citation to the individual, whom officers released, as shown in footage that <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1329558018585817088?s=20\">Olmos posted to Twitter</a>. The person returned to the rally without his rifle.</p><p data-block-key=\"aumlo\">A Portland Police Bureau spokesperson was unable to confirm or deny if officers arrested the armed individual or issued a citation.</p><p data-block-key=\"f4d3p\">Davis told the Tracker he spent about two hours covering the rally and that several different protesters shoved and threatened him during his time there. He captured <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hungrybowtie/status/1329547294962712576?s=20\">footage of one individual</a> carrying a shield trying to shove the journalist out of the area.</p><p data-block-key=\"v8bgn\">“Get off the sidewalk,” the individual says to Davis.</p><p data-block-key=\"err2u\">In another exchange, an individual wearing a purple hoodie and a black face mask approaches Davis and demands that he back away from the rally.</p><p data-block-key=\"mxxdc\">“Get your ass back, motherfucker. Step back, dude,” the individual said to Davis.</p><p data-block-key=\"h7xyk\">“You’re not the police, you can’t move me,” Davis replied. “You’re not the cops.”</p><p data-block-key=\"lfrvs\">The <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hungrybowtie/status/1329563620632477696?s=20\">demonstration culminated</a> with shoving matches between members of the opposing groups, and members of both groups <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hungrybowtie/status/1329563620632477696?s=20\">deploying pepper spray</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"ejs4f\">The Portland Police Bureau didn’t respond to a request for information about any arrests or citations issued to anyone involved with the rally or the counterprotest.</p><p data-block-key=\"xxuy0\">Olmos posted a video of an <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1329543876751757312?s=20\">officer writing a citation</a> for at least one individual after officers told people, <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hungrybowtie/status/1329553498644463616?s=20\">including Davis</a>, that they would be cited for standing in the street. Davis didn’t receive a citation, he told the Tracker.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"assailant": "private individual",
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"state": {
"name": "Oregon",
"abbreviation": "OR"
},
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"tags": [
"Blue Lives Matter",
"protest"
],
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"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
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},
{
"title": "Portland-based journalist assaulted during ‘Million MAGA March’ in D.C.",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/portland-based-journalist-assaulted-during-million-maga-march-in-dc/",
"first_published_at": "2022-02-04T14:44:19.163714Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-11-25T16:46:02.851624Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-11-25T16:46:02.760267Z",
"date": "2020-11-14",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"m23hm\">Portland-based independent journalist Laura Jedeed told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that she was assaulted while covering what organizers called the “Million MAGA March,” a gathering of various far-right groups, on Nov. 14, 2020, in Washington, D.C.</p><p data-block-key=\"3s8sh\">The rally was held in the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s failed reelection bid, a loss that the president and his supporters claimed — without evidence — was the result of widespread election fraud.</p><p data-block-key=\"8njoo\">Things were mostly peaceful in the nation’s capital for much of Nov. 14, but fights broke between Trump supporters and counterprotesters as the day wore on, <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/11/14/million-maga-march-dc-protests/\">according to the Washington Post</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"cvde1\">In a video that Jedeed <a href=\"https://twitter.com/LauraJedeed/status/1328370649165832193?s=20\">posted two days</a> after the march, two women can be seen calling Jedeed’s location to the attention of others in the crowd and accusing her of doxxing people at the rally.</p><p data-block-key=\"b42kv\">“She loves to dox people. Right here, this bitch,” one of the women said while pointing in Jedeed’s direction.</p><p data-block-key=\"62acs\">A man with an American flag face covering approaches the scene, repeatedly calls Jedeed a “bitch” and moves just inches away from the journalist while she continues to record.</p><p data-block-key=\"7uu54\">Jedeed tells the man that he is standing on her foot and repeatedly tells him to stop making physical contact with her. The journalist said that she recognized the two women and the man from rallies in Portland and that she had seen the man in the lobby of her hotel earlier that day.</p><p data-block-key=\"fme27\">“I can’t wait to see you in the fucking lobby again,” the man says to Jedeed.</p><p data-block-key=\"18nsq\">A number of other members of the crowd, many of them <a href=\"https://twitter.com/LauraJedeed/status/1328369897173262336?s=20\">not wearing masks</a>, surrounded Jedeed and hurled taunts and <a href=\"https://twitter.com/LauraJedeed/status/1328369133264670720?s=20\">insults at her</a> while standing close to her, which she captured in videos she <a href=\"https://twitter.com/LauraJedeed/status/1328366771225542656?s=20\">posted to YouTube and Twitter</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"4pkh\">“They were just getting aggressively in my personal space,” Jedeed told the Tracker. “At no point did anyone hurt me. I was very lucky.”</p><p data-block-key=\"8r84q\">Jedeed said the incident lasted about 20 minutes. In her video, she can be heard repeatedly telling members of the crowd to stop touching her.</p><p data-block-key=\"alvls\">Ultimately, the man with the American flag mask who’d stepped on her foot — and repeatedly called her a fascist while she was being harangued by the crowd — ended up escorting her from the crowd.</p></div>",
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"name": "District of Columbia",
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"tags": [
"election",
"Election 2020",
"protest"
],
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"categories": [
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"targeted_journalists": [
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},
{
"title": "Videojournalist for Brazilian broadcaster assaulted during ‘Million MAGA March’ in DC",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/videojournalist-for-brazilian-broadcaster-assaulted-during-million-maga-march-in-dc/",
"first_published_at": "2021-02-02T20:00:48.371896Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-11-25T16:45:25.886433Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-11-25T16:45:25.790256Z",
"date": "2020-11-14",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"41k72\">Daniel Silva-Pinto, a videojournalist on assignment for Brazilian broadcaster TV Globo, was assaulted while covering what organizers called the “Million MAGA March,” a gathering of various far-right groups, on Nov. 14, 2020, in Washington, D.C.</p><p data-block-key=\"cx6k1\">The rally was held in the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s failed reelection bid, a loss that the president and his supporters claimed — without evidence — was the result of widespread election fraud.</p><p data-block-key=\"gca0c\">Things were mostly peaceful in the nation’s capital for much of Nov. 14, but fights broke out between Trump supporters and counterprotesters as the day wore on,<a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/11/14/million-maga-march-dc-protests/\"> according to the Washington Post</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"c4swf\">Silva-Pinto told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he’d been filming the march on Constitution Avenue when some members of what he identified as part of the far-right group the Proud Boys arrived at around 2 or 3 p.m. Silva-Pinto told the Tracker he’d been wearing a press badge at the time and was carrying his DSLR camera.</p><p data-block-key=\"j86rv\">“When I got closer to Congress on Constitution, I started to hear a commotion, and then I saw that it was a ton of men dressed in black and yellow: clearly members of the Proud Boys,” Silva-Pinto said. “They were walking sort of arm-in-arm in a phalanx.”</p><p data-block-key=\"97i4i\">“I was in a semicircle with six or seven other photojournalists and videojournalists when these guys were walking down the street and they started to get pretty aggressive with the people who were nearest them and they started pushing us.”</p><p data-block-key=\"pj0p2\">He said that members of the Proud Boys appeared to be elbowing and pushing the group of journalists more to annoy them than to inflict harm.</p><p data-block-key=\"8ooip\">“Journalists started sort of talking back to them, saying things like, ‘Hey, don’t do that. I’m just here trying to do my job,’” Silva-Pinto said. He said he could not identify the other journalists there that day who may have also been assaulted during the incident.</p><p data-block-key=\"l769z\">“Then, I felt my camera get grabbed and I was hit in my head from my blind side or behind me, and I turned around and saw that it was one of the guys who had been pushing me,” Silva-Pinto said.</p><p data-block-key=\"0naos\">He told the Tracker that he walked a short distance away from the group for a bit, and when he returned, he was assaulted by a second individual.</p><p data-block-key=\"cyntq\">“Another one of those guys grabbed my camera to lower it and then started hitting me in the face,” Silva-Pinto said. “They punched me several times.”</p><p data-block-key=\"omzq4\">In a <a href=\"https://twitter.com/OstapYarysh/status/1327702085069049864\">video captured</a> by Ostap Yarysh, a reporter for Voice of America’s Ukrainian service, individuals dressed in black and yellow, colors often associated with the group, aand other Proud Boys symbols can be heard chanting, “The media sucks!” At one point, one of the individuals can be seen striking out at Silva-Pinto and punching him multiple times in the face. Another individual then approaches Silva-Pinto, saying, “Back the fuck up. Get the fuck out of here.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/MillionsMAGAMarch?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#MillionsMAGAMarch</a> is getting tense. After chanting "The media sucks", one of the Proud Boys attacked an independent journalist who was filming the march. <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchForTrump?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#MarchForTrump</a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/MillionMAGAMarch2020?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#MillionMAGAMarch2020</a> <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProudBoys?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ProudBoys</a> <a href=\"https://t.co/Yo7N6NEOUA\">pic.twitter.com/Yo7N6NEOUA</a></p>— Ostap Yarysh (@OstapYarysh) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/OstapYarysh/status/1327702085069049864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 14, 2020</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"kn1bv\">Silva-Pinto can be heard responding, “What the fuck is wrong with you? Why are you hitting me?”</p><p data-block-key=\"e3nvn\">“That was new for me,” Silva-Pinto said. “Like I’ve said, I’ve covered a lot of stuff and people have been hostile toward me and other members of the press before. But that was certainly unexpected, given it was daytime, there were a bunch of police officers around, it was near the Capitol, and there were children and families around.”</p><p data-block-key=\"od4r8\">Silva-Pinto told the Tracker that he approached a Metropolitan Police Department officer following the assault to file a police report. He said he had not received any updates from the police and that his last contact with the detective on his case was on Dec. 15.</p><p data-block-key=\"creot\">The MPD did not respond to an emailed request for comment from the Tracker as of press time.</p><p data-block-key=\"jtvg5\">Silva-Pinto said he also sought medical attention from a volunteer medic who was with counterprotesters that day to confirm that he did not have a concussion.</p><p data-block-key=\"5ircb\">The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker has documented hundreds journalists assaulted, arrested, harassed or who had their equipment seized or damaged while covering the 2020 election and related protests. You can find all these incidents <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/election-2020/\">here</a>.</p></div>",
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{
"title": "Independent journalist assaulted during ‘Million MAGA March’ in D.C.",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/independent-journalist-assaulted-during-million-maga-march-in-dc/",
"first_published_at": "2021-01-21T22:11:19.201285Z",
"last_published_at": "2022-08-04T21:31:39.522209Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2022-08-04T21:31:39.461290Z",
"date": "2020-11-14",
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"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"bjcsd\">Independent journalist Talia Jane told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that she was assaulted while covering what organizers called the “Million MAGA March,” a gathering of various far-right groups, on Nov. 14, 2020, in Washington, D.C.</p><p data-block-key=\"3g69f\">The rally was held in the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s failed reelection bid, a loss that the president and his supporters claimed — without evidence — was the result of widespread election fraud.</p><p data-block-key=\"c9k9d\">Things were mostly peaceful in the nation’s capital for much of Nov. 14, but fights broke between Trump supporters and counterprotesters as the day wore on, <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/11/14/million-maga-march-dc-protests/\">according to the Washington Post</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"dosgp\">Jane, who is based in New York City, told the Tracker she was documenting one such brawl blocks from the White House shortly after 8 p.m., broadcasting footage of the <a href=\"https://twitter.com/itsa_talia/status/1327991872841785344?s=20\">melee to Instagram Live</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"24rhk\">While she was filming, an individual punched Jane in the side of the head, causing bleeding from her ear and launching her smartphone from her hand.</p><p data-block-key=\"eop0c\">“I was documenting a brawl where 200 fascists rolled up on about 80 BLM/anti-fascists and started going at it,” Jane told the Tracker. “I tried to stay somewhat off to the side, but a guy walked up to me and sucker-punched me.”</p><p data-block-key=\"294gi\">Jane said she was wearing a black shirt with “PRESS” written in white letters on the front and that she repeatedly said, “I’m press!” during the incident.</p><p data-block-key=\"477te\">She said she was able to find a street medic, who applied gauze to her ear, but that she did not seek additional medical attention and continued to document the scene.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"d9q27\">The U.S. Capitol building is seen as thousands of people participate in rallies in support of President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 14, 2020.</p>",
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"targeted_journalists": [
"Talia (Jane) Ben-Ora (Freelance)"
],
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{
"title": "Journalist shoved by pro-Trump demonstrators in Salem, Oregon",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-shoved-by-pro-trump-demonstrators-in-salem-oregon/",
"first_published_at": "2021-10-14T18:59:24.850820Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-11-25T16:42:53.159154Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-11-25T16:42:53.082406Z",
"date": "2020-11-07",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Salem",
"longitude": -123.0351,
"latitude": 44.9429,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"bbkee\">A member of the Portland-based press collective <a href=\"https://twitter.com/45thabsurdist?lang=en\">45th Absurdist Brigade</a> said they were shoved by pro-Donald Trump demonstrators while covering a rally in Salem, Oregon, on Nov. 7, 2020.</p><p data-block-key=\"xcmcb\">The journalist, who requested anonymity because of fear of harassment from far-right groups, was pushed while covering one of the “Stop the Steal” rallies held around the country to promote President Trump’s baseless claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.</p><p data-block-key=\"tblhr\">In the wake of the election being called for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden that morning, about 200 people gathered outside the Oregon Capitol in the afternoon. Some of the protesters appeared to be affiliated with the Proud Boys, a far-right group, journalists told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. Several other journalists <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/november-journalists-harassed-threatened-while-covering-election-and-social-justice-protests/\">documented</a> harassing, threatening interactions with pro-Trump supporters while covering the Salem rally that day. Members of far-right groups have <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?search=Proud+Boys\">repeatedly</a> attacked journalists in recent years.</p><p data-block-key=\"yvg46\">Around 12:50 p.m. the member of the 45th Absurdist Brigade was crossing a street near the capitol building when a group of protesters started harassing the press collective member. The journalist, who was reporting with a partner, said they were both pushed.</p><p data-block-key=\"xc7l3\">“These guys came up to us and were like, ‘I recognize you, you’re antifa, you’re not real press, you’re fake,’” the journalist told the Tracker. “One guy especially was jostling me, and saying, ‘That’s a nice camera you have, I can use a new camera.’ Another one was calling me a ‘cunt’ and a ‘bitch.’”</p><p data-block-key=\"23ao2\">Video of the <a href=\"https://twitter.com/45thabsurdist/status/1325178696706134016\">incident</a> posted on the 45th Absurdist Brigade Twitter account shows one of the pro-Trump demonstrators shoving the person filming. Another protester can be heard saying not to touch the journalist. The demonstrators can also be heard yelling “fake press” multiple times.</p><p data-block-key=\"alk6l\">Garrison Davis, an independent Portland-based reporter, captured the incident from across the street in a <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hungrybowtie/status/1325178474789699585\">video</a> posted on Twitter. “Right-Wing demonstrators/Proud Boys harassed and assaulted members of the press,” tweeted Davis, who can also be seen <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/november-journalists-harassed-threatened-while-covering-election-and-social-justice-protests/\">getting harassed</a> in the video.</p></div>",
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"name": "Oregon",
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"tags": [
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"Election 2020",
"protest"
],
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"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Anonymous 45th Absurdist (45th Absurdist Press Collective)"
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{
"title": "Portland-based journalist shoved by pro-Trump demonstrators in Salem, Oregon",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/portland-based-journalist-shoved-by-pro-trump-demonstrators-in-salem-oregon/",
"first_published_at": "2021-10-14T18:59:17.320038Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-11-25T16:43:08.785712Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-11-25T16:43:08.714991Z",
"date": "2020-11-07",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Salem",
"longitude": -123.0351,
"latitude": 44.9429,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"w1y0k\">A member of the Portland-based press collective <a href=\"https://twitter.com/45thabsurdist?lang=en\">45th Absurdist Brigade</a>, who requested anonymity because they fear harassment from far-right groups, was shoved by pro-Donald Trump demonstrators while covering a rally in Salem, Oregon, on Nov. 7, 2020.</p><p data-block-key=\"aha1z\">The journalist was pushed while covering one of the “Stop the Steal” rallies held around the country to promote President Trump’s baseless claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.</p><p data-block-key=\"zqe1x\">In the wake of the election being called for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden that morning, about 200 people gathered outside the Oregon Capitol in the afternoon of Nov. 7. Some of the protesters appeared to be affiliated with the Proud Boys, a far-right group, journalists told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. Several other journalists <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/november-journalists-harassed-threatened-while-covering-election-and-social-justice-protests/\">documented</a> harassing, threatening interactions with pro-Trump supporters while covering the Salem rally that day. Members of far-right groups have <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?search=Proud+Boys\">repeatedly</a> attacked journalists in recent years.</p><p data-block-key=\"ttcfy\">Around 12:50 p.m. the member of the 45th Absurdist Brigade was crossing a street near the capitol building when a group of protesters started harassing them. The journalist was reporting with a partner at the time, and said both were pushed.</p><p data-block-key=\"aa0ml\">Video of the <a href=\"https://twitter.com/45thabsurdist/status/1325178696706134016\">incident</a> posted on the 45th Absurdist Brigade Twitter account shows one of the pro-Trump demonstrators shoving the person filming. Another protester can be heard saying not to touch the journalist. The demonstrators can also be heard yelling “fake press” multiple times.</p><p data-block-key=\"iiulk\">Garrison Davis, an independent Portland-based reporter, captured the incident from across the street in a <a href=\"https://twitter.com/hungrybowtie/status/1325178474789699585\">video</a> posted on Twitter. “Right-Wing demonstrators/Proud Boys harassed and assaulted members of the press,” tweeted Davis, who can also be seen <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/november-journalists-harassed-threatened-while-covering-election-and-social-justice-protests/\">getting harassed</a> in the video.</p></div>",
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"tags": [
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"categories": [
"Assault"
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"targeted_journalists": [
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{
"title": "Trump supporters repeatedly shove photojournalist during Phoenix rally challenging election results",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/trump-supporters-repeatedly-shove-photojournalist-during-phoenix-rally-challenging-election-results/",
"first_published_at": "2021-01-21T20:48:48.975862Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-02-29T19:31:25.387463Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-02-29T19:31:25.312141Z",
"date": "2020-11-07",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Phoenix",
"longitude": -112.07404,
"latitude": 33.44838,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"rxcfq\">Freelance photographer Ash Ponders was shoved numerous times by supporters of President Donald Trump on Nov. 7, 2020, in Phoenix, Arizona, while taking photos of a rally outside the Arizona State Capitol.</p><p data-block-key=\"x95gv\">Trump supporters rallied in states across the country on Nov. 7 after major news networks called the 2020 presidential election for former Vice President Joe Biden. In Phoenix, the crowd swelled to more than 1,000, The Associated Press <a href=\"https://www.startribune.com/increasingly-normal-guns-seen-outside-vote-counting-centers/573002721/\">reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"lcr1f\">Ponders, who is based in Phoenix, tweeted at just after 2 p.m. a photo of crowds gathering outside the Arizona State Capitol. “[B]een shoved and accosted more in the last ten minute than every other day since the election combined,” Ponders <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ashponders/status/1325152578011721728?s=20\">wrote in the post</a>.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Media hostile vibes here at the capitol, been shoved and accosted more in the last ten minute than every other day since the election combined. <a href=\"https://t.co/WGMiIKi0Ld\">pic.twitter.com/WGMiIKi0Ld</a></p>— Ash Ponders (@ashponders) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ashponders/status/1325152578011721728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 7, 2020</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"x5ajm\">Protesters “bumped and shoved a lot,” at one point causing the photographer to fall, Ponders told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"o6qg2\">“I stood up and walked away quickly towards another journalist,” Ponders said. “It was quite loud; if verbal threats were made, I didn’t hear them.”</p><p data-block-key=\"i467s\">Ponders continued tweeting from the rally for a few more hours, <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ashponders/status/1325156923235131395?s=20\">posting observations</a> about firearms and military-grade equipment that some of the attendees brought with them to the event.</p><p data-block-key=\"awipa\">“I wandered away from the protests in search of some celebrations; I would like to make some images of joy for once this week,” Ponders <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ashponders/status/1325213896978751489?s=20\">tweeted after 6 p.m.</a></p></div>",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"pmum7\">Supporters of President Donald Trump gather at a protest outside the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix after the 2020 U.S. presidential election was called for Democratic candidate Joe Biden on Nov. 7, 2020.</p>",
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"Election 2020",
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{
"title": "Photographer shoved by group of pro-Trump demonstrators in Salem, Oregon",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalists-shoved-pro-trump-demonstrators-salem-oregon/",
"first_published_at": "2020-12-14T21:54:49.311511Z",
"last_published_at": "2024-11-25T16:43:53.264160Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2024-11-25T16:43:53.176334Z",
"date": "2020-11-07",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Salem",
"longitude": -123.0351,
"latitude": 44.9429,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"jajyn\">Documentary photographer Joseph Rushmore said he was shoved by pro-Donald Trump demonstrators while covering a rally in Salem, Oregon, on Nov. 7, 2020.</p><p data-block-key=\"rmdgl\">Rushmore was pushed while covering one of the “Stop the Steal” rallies held around the country to promote President Trump’s baseless claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.</p><p data-block-key=\"pr5yq\">In the wake of the election being called for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden that morning, about 200 people gathered outside the Oregon Capitol in the afternoon of Nov. 7. Some of the protesters appeared to be affiliated with the Proud Boys, a far-right group, journalists told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. Several other journalists <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/november-journalists-harassed-threatened-while-covering-election-and-social-justice-protests/\">documented</a> harassing, threatening interactions with pro-Trump supporters while covering the Salem rally that day. Members of far-right groups have <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?search=Proud+Boys\">repeatedly</a> attacked journalists in recent years.</p><p data-block-key=\"9ep4z\">Shortly after 1 p.m., Rushmore was shoved after noticing a group of protesters confronting a counterprotester and he started taking photos of the confrontation, he told the Tracker.</p><p data-block-key=\"l006p\">In <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1325182748663771136\">footage</a> of the confrontation posted on Twitter by Portland-based journalist Sergio Olmos, Rushmore can be seen wearing a pink bandana as he starts taking photos about 24 seconds into the video.</p><p data-block-key=\"g1pyc\">After Oregon State Police officers stepped in to protect the counterprotester, the Trump supporters turned their attention to Rushmore.</p><p data-block-key=\"hh317\">Video of the incident <a href=\"https://twitter.com/MrOlmos/status/1325182995603492867\">published</a> by Olmos shows a group of protesters confronting Rushmore. One demonstrator can be seen repeatedly pushing Rushmore as he shouts back to get off of him. At one point, the protesters begin chanting, “Fuck antifa!” Eventually, state troopers get between Rushmore and the protesters.</p><p data-block-key=\"rg8si\">“They were yelling that I was an anarchist or antifa, yelling about me being fake press, and somebody started pushing me,” Rushmore said.</p><p data-block-key=\"tpc0v\">“I’m yelling back at them a lot because I didn’t want them putting their hands on me,” said Rushmore. “I was scared at the moment. It’s a pretty violent group and they frighten me. I was way outnumbered.”</p></div>",
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"assailant": "private individual",
"was_journalist_targeted": "yes",
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"state": {
"name": "Oregon",
"abbreviation": "OR"
},
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"Joseph Rushmore (Freelance)"
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]
