Photojournalist kicked in chest by police at LA immigration protest

Independent photojournalist Nick Stern was kicked in the chest by a police officer while documenting a protest against immigration raids in Los Angeles, California, on April 11, 2026.

The protest, which included a few dozen participants, gathered at the downtown Metropolitan Detention Center, where immigrants are being held and where numerous demonstrations have taken place since the start of intensified immigration enforcement in the city in June 2025.

Stern told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that once the LA Police Department called a dispersal order, they directed journalists at first to leave the area. They then told the press to go onto the other side of the street on the sidewalk to photograph.

“We were then charged by some of the same officers,” he said. “Contrary to what they told us.”

Stern, who was identified as press on his T-shirt and was wearing a press badge around his neck, said a majority of the people remaining were media. At one point, a group of officers ran up to arrest a woman and as they did so, a number of journalists moved forward to document it. Police pushed them with batons.

“We then as a group were shuffling back,” Stern said.

Still trying to get a shot, Stern held his camera up high, over the officers’ heads.

“As they were pushing us, one officer then kicked me in the chest with his right leg.”

Stern said that officer was then pulled back by a senior officer, seemingly reprimanded for his action, which was captured on a video the journalist posted to one of his social media accounts.

“Everytime we go and argue our rights as journalists, they’re nodding their heads, and we go back out on the streets, and it’s all forgotten,” Stern told the Tracker.

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, including use of force. A federal preliminary injunction against the city is in place to uphold those protections.

In an emailed statement, an LAPD public information officer told the Tracker that an unlawful assembly was declared in response to “vandalism and in the interest of public safety.” The officer added, “Following the lawful dispersal order, officers moved to regain control of the area and successfully dispersed those engaged in unlawful activity.”

The officer said the department is “aware of the complaints that have been raised,” adding that “each allegation will be subject to a comprehensive and thorough investigation in accordance with established Department policies and procedures.”

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said in a statement after a March 28 “No Kings” rally weeks earlier — which resulted in at least a dozen press freedom violations — that any use of force or allegations of mistreatment involving media members would be investigated and addressed.

“The LAPD recognizes the media’s right to cover events and makes reasonable efforts to accommodate, with those efforts consistent with our primary duty to maintain public safety and order,” the statement said.