Incident Details
- Date of Incident
- February 2, 2017
- Targets
- Noah Hurowitz (DNAinfo)
- Assailant
- Private individual
- Was the journalist targeted?
- Yes
Assault
- Equipment Broken
- Actor
- Private individual
Equipment Damage
DNAinfo reporter Noah Hurowitz was punched in the face by Salvatore Cipolla, a member of the alt-right group "Proud Boys," on Feb. 2, 2017, DNAinfo reported.
Hurowitz was reporting at New York University, where "Proud Boys" founder Gavin McInnes was scheduled to speak and where large groups of protesters and counterprotesters had gathered.
Hurowitz told the Freedom of the Press Foundation in an email that he was attempting to photograph Cipolla, a member of the "Proud Boys" who was yelling at protesters, when Cipolla approached him and physically accosted him.
"As I backed up, verbally identifying myself as press and holding up my NYPD-issued press pass, which was around my neck, Cipolla shoved me, grabbed me by the collar of my coat, and yanked on my press pass, damaging it," Hurowitz said. "He was immediately arrested."
Cipolla was cited for disorderly conduct and second-degree harassment. After pleading guilty, he was sentenced to community service.
The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker catalogues press freedom violations in the United States. Email tips to [email protected].
