Incident details
- Date of incident
- June 8, 2025
- Location
- Los Angeles, California
- Targets
- Henry Cherry (Independent)
- Assailant
- Law enforcement
- Was the journalist targeted?
- Yes
Assault
A law enforcement officer aims a projectile launcher at photojournalist Henry Cherry during a protest in Los Angeles, California, on June 8, 2025. Cherry was struck with batons and projectiles, and shoved by police while covering the demonstration.
Henry Cherry, an independent photojournalist, was shoved and struck with a police baton multiple times, as well as hit by projectiles, at an immigration protest in Los Angeles, California, on June 8, 2025.
Weekend protests began June 6 in response to federal raids in and around Los Angeles of workplaces and areas where immigrant day laborers gathered, amid the Trump administration’s larger immigration crackdown. After demonstrators clashed with Los Angeles law enforcement officers and federal agents, President Donald Trump called in the California National Guard over the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Cherry, who was clearly marked as press and wearing a credential, was hit in his legs, feet and arms with projectiles fired by both federal officers and the LA Police Department.
Cherry told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that on at least five occasions, he was also shoved and struck by police batons, bruising his chest. In addition that day, Cherry was heavily affected by chemical irritants being deployed by law enforcement.
When reached for comment, the LAPD directed the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker to the department’s social media accounts. In a statement posted to social platform X, the department said it had worked through the night to restore public safety. It did not address the use of force against members of the press.
In a statement emailed to the Tracker, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin urged journalists to be cautious while covering what she characterized as “violent riots,” and added that President Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem “are committed to restoring law and order.”
The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker catalogs press freedom violations in the United States. Email tips to [email protected].
