Incident details
- Date of incident
- June 14, 2025
- Location
- Los Angeles, California
- Targets
- Anna Moltke (Independent)
- Assailant
- Law enforcement
- Was the journalist targeted?
- Yes
Assault
Police officers during a “No Kings” protest in Los Angeles, California, on June 14, 2025. Photographer Anna Moltke was shoved by an officer while covering the demonstration.
Independent photographer Anna Moltke was pushed by a police officer while documenting a “No Kings” protest in Los Angeles, California, on June 14, 2025.
The demonstration was one of many protests held across the country in opposition to President Donald Trump, and was planned to coincide with a military parade on Trump’s birthday, marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. It also followed days of protests in the LA area against recent federal raids, part of the Trump administration’s larger immigration crackdown.
Moltke told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that while documenting the demonstration downtown, she was refused access to a street corner. After she identified herself as a member of the media, an LA Police Department officer forcibly shoved her in the chest and shoulder area.
“I specifically stated to the officer that I’m press; I showed him my badge,” said Moltke, who was also affected by chemical irritants deployed that day. “After I stated that I was press, he pushed me.”
When reached for comment, the LAPD directed the Tracker to the department’s social media accounts. In a June 15 statement posted to social platform X, the department acknowledged that LAPD officers used numerous “less-lethal munitions” and made arrests related to protest activity when responding to the demonstrations.
The statement did not address the use of force against identifiable press.
The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker catalogs press freedom violations in the United States. Email tips to [email protected].
