Photojournalist pushed, accused of being a protester at LA demonstration

Photojournalist Cassandra Church was shoved from behind by a police sergeant while she covered a “No Kings” protest on Oct. 17, 2026, in Los Angeles, California.

Church was on assignment 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.

LA Police Department officers arrived at the demonstration after a street fight near the detention center, Church told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. After police arrested a protester who was later released, officers formed a skirmish line and pushed demonstrators and journalists down the street.

At an intersection farther along the route, officers tackled and arrested independent photojournalist Angel Perez. Church and fellow photojournalist Christopher Almaraz called out to police that Perez was a member of the press.

As the journalists turned to continue down the sidewalk, officers suddenly surged forward to arrest another protester.

Church was photographing the arrest when officers ordered her to move around a bush and into the street. With her back against a wall, she began repositioning herself to avoid walking through the arrest.

“I was no way in their path,” she said.

As Church moved into the street, a sergeant began forcefully shoving her from behind, she said, repeatedly shouting, “I don’t give a fuck.” Church wore press markings on her chest and had her credentials visibly displayed.

After officers pushed journalists into the street, they ordered them back onto the sidewalk. Once there, the same officer pointed his flashlight at Church and Almaraz, who was also shoved, and accused them of participating in the protest rather than working as journalists, Church said.

“The girl in the green vest is participating,” the officer said in a video shared with the Tracker. “The one in the green vest is not press.”

Church disputed the accusation, saying, “In no way have I participated.”

A police captain eventually intervened and de-escalated the confrontation, allowing the journalists to leave.

As Church and Almaraz walked away, a police helicopter tracked them with a spotlight and warned through the helicopter’s loudspeaker that they would be arrested if they returned to the detention center, Church said. The helicopter continued following them for several blocks.

Church told the Tracker she believed the police actions against her and Almaraz were retaliation for their efforts to prevent Perez from being detained. Police had also announced an “evacuation order” for the area, but California law allows members of the press to cover protests and exempts them from dispersal orders. A federal preliminary injunction against the city is in place to uphold those protections.

“It felt retaliatory toward both of us for that advocacy,” Church told the Tracker. “That one officer was attempting to have us arrested by accusing us of participating.”

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.