Photojournalist shoved to ground by police outside Trump event

Freelance photojournalist Susan Stava was shoved to the ground by police while reporting outside a campaign event for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 20, 2024.

Stava told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker she went to cover the town hall event at the Lancaster County Convention Center but stayed outside to conduct interviews as part of an ongoing project about women who support the former president.

“I went to leave and I saw a bunch of demonstrators outside in Lancaster Square, and it was basically a Harris group, and what struck me was it was pretty peaceful and the Harris-Walz group was just mingling with the Trump supporters,” she said. “It got a little crazy around the center, where there were a bunch of kids that were sort of antagonizing the Harris supporters.”

Then a woman Stava had been speaking with noticed that her friend was under arrest following an altercation.

“We all were going around to see where they were taking her, and it was sort of on the street and I was going to actually run to the other corner of the street when I could, to get a front shot of her coming toward me,” she said. “And I never got there.”

Stava said an officer suddenly broadsided her, shoving her to the ground.

“I landed on my back, and I really didn’t know what hit me,” she told the Tracker. “He didn’t even bother to see if I was OK. He just backed up, standing there. Another cop came over and hoisted me up very quickly without assuring that I wasn’t injured.”

She said she was examined by emergency responders at the scene and they transported her to a hospital to ensure that she didn’t have any internal bleeding. Stava said she suffered from whiplash and has a “huge lump” on her head, a large bruise on her arm and jaw pain. One of her camera lenses was also damaged during the incident.

“I’ve been in this business for 30-35 years: I’ve never had that happen,” Stava said. “I’ve been to January 6, I’ve been to all kinds of places and I’m pretty careful. I’m very savvy about what’s around me.”

Stava told the Tracker that after she was released from the hospital she went straight to the Lancaster City Bureau of Police to file a complaint about the incident.

Women Press Freedom condemned the “violent actions” taken by the police officer, stating that it was “a clear violation of press freedom and the rights of journalists to report safely and without interference.”

“This incident not only highlights the concerning aggression faced by journalists in the field but also raises serious questions about the training and conduct of law enforcement officers,” the advocacy organization wrote in its statement. “We call for a thorough investigation into this incident, and we urge the Lancaster City Police to take immediate action to address the serious issues raised by Stava’s experience.”

When reached by email, the police directed the Tracker to its statement issued on Oct. 23, announcing that it had completed its investigation and concluded that the officer had not engaged in any misconduct.

“A scene like this can escalate quickly and officers may not always be able to immediately identify an individual’s intent when the group is rapidly moving toward a restricted area,” the statement said. “It’s important for everyone, including media personnel, to remain aware of their surroundings during dynamic situations where safety conditions can change rapidly.”

Stava told the Tracker that she has been in contact with the National Press Photographers Association and is considering next steps.

“I’m worried about the fascist directions the cops and the police department are going into. I don’t know if journalists are being singled out, I don’t know what’s happening for sure, but that’s my sense. So, big concern,” Stava said.