Photojournalist struck with munition at Los Angeles ‘No Kings’ protest

Freelance photojournalist Madison Swart was struck with a crowd-control munition fired by law enforcement while covering protests in Los Angeles, California, on June 14, 2025.

The protest in downtown Los Angeles was one of hundreds of “No Kings” demonstrations held nationwide to counter a military parade attended by President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. It also followed days of protests in the city and nearby towns against recent federal raids, part of the Trump administration’s larger immigration crackdown.

Swart told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that she was separated from the journalists she was reporting alongside for safety, and was repeatedly shot with crowd-control munitions by Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deputies while on a terrace above the main protest.

When she was able to reconnect outside City Hall with the other journalists — freelance journalist Sean Beckner-Carmitchel and Ryanne Mena of the Los Angeles Daily News — the group tried to cross a nearby thoroughfare during what appeared to be a lull in the action.

“There was the sheriff’s line and they were very far ahead, we weren’t anywhere near them,” Swart said. “We thought it was a good time to cross, but just as we started to do that they started shooting at us.”

In footage Swart shared with the Tracker, she films alongside two other journalists — including Beckner-Carmitchel — as they cross the street approximately 50 feet in front of a crowd of protesters. After a sudden pop, the camera jolts and the trio turns back in the direction they had come.

“That hurt,” Swart is heard saying moments later.

She told the Tracker that she was struck in the leg with what she believes was a tear gas canister.

“It’s hard to know what the fuck they’re shooting at us, because they’re just shooting so many different things. It felt heavy and hot, and it hit my thigh and it was stuck on my leg for a second because I had a battery pack in my pocket,” she said.

“There were too many things going on, so I didn’t actually look at what it was and I didn’t want to touch it,” Swart added. “So I just remember using my shirt to kind of flip it off of me and it didn’t end up leaving a mark, but it was hot and it was heavier than the things that were being shot at me on the terrace.”

In a statement emailed to the Tracker, the Sheriff’s Department said it prioritizes maintaining access for credentialed media, “especially during emergencies and critical incidents.”

“The LASD does not condone any actions that intentionally target members of the press, and we continuously train our personnel to distinguish and respect the rights of clearly identified journalists in the field,” a public information officer wrote. “We remain open to working with all media organizations to improve communication, transparency, and safety for all parties during public safety operations.”

Reflecting on both of her experiences that day, Swart said, “It’s scary how many journalists have just been hurt these past few weeks.

“So many of us already have PTSD: How much of this is going to sit with us for a while? But the work is important, so stopping isn’t an option,” she continued, adding of law enforcement, "They need to stop, that’s the option.”