LA police officer pushes photojournalist covering ‘No Kings’ protest

Photojournalist Christopher Almaraz was shoved into the street by Los Angeles police while he photographed officers arresting a protester at a “No Kings” protest on Oct. 17, 2026.

Almaraz was taking photos for The Southlander at the demonstration, one of thousands of nationwide “No Kings” protests opposing the current state of the U.S. government and urging voter turnout ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Later that day, protesters gathered near the downtown Metropolitan Detention Center, where immigrants are held.

Almaraz told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that the LA Police Department arrived after a fight broke out and began pushing demonstrators and journalists down the street. Officers directed journalists to move onto the sidewalk and announced an “evacuation order,” rather than a dispersal order.

California law allows members of the press to cover protests and exempts them from dispersal orders. It also protects them from arrest or interference by police while doing so. A federal preliminary injunction against the city is in place to uphold those protections.

As officers advanced, they tackled independent photojournalist Angel Perez and arrested him. Almaraz approached a police captain and repeatedly explained that Perez was a member of the press.

After speaking with the captain, Almaraz returned to documenting police activity, as officers moved to arrest another protester. Almaraz stood beside a parked car near the curb, with one foot in the gutter and the other on the curb, as he photographed officers tackling the demonstrator near bushes on the sidewalk. Then he felt a shove against his back.

“I was in the gutter, so that way I could be out of their way,” he said. “And they still found the need to push me.”

The officer pushed him again, prompting Almaraz to move forward and into the street. Photojournalist Cassandra Church was also shoved while documenting the arrest.

As officers directed journalists back onto the sidewalk, Almaraz heard an officer repeatedly accuse him and Church of participating in the protest. He turned and saw the officer shining a flashlight into their faces.

Almaraz pointed to the press markings on his chest and challenged the accusation.

“Me? How?” he said in a video shared with the Tracker.

After both photojournalists left the protest area, a police helicopter tracked them with a spotlight and warned through the helicopter’s loudspeaker not to return to the detention center or else be arrested.

Almaraz questioned why the helicopter continued tracking them after they had left the area. He characterized its actions as an attempt to mock and intimidate journalists.

“It was all escalation,” he said.

In response to a request for comment about the Oct. 17 incident, the LAPD said it makes reasonable efforts to accommodate the media and recognizes journalists’ right to cover events. The department said allegations of mistreatment involving members of the media would be thoroughly investigated and appropriately addressed.

“We remain steadfast in fostering strong, respectful relationships with our media partners,” the statement said.