Photojournalist struck with police bike amid presidential debate protest

Independent photojournalist Cristina Panagi was repeatedly rammed with a bike by police while covering a protest outside the presidential debate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 10, 2024.

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the National Constitution Center, where presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris were debating, WCAU reported. According to the TV station, pro-Palestinian demonstrators made up the bulk of the crowd, calling for a cease-fire in the ongoing Israel-Gaza war.

Panagi told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that near the end of the protesters’ march, a Philadelphia Police Department officer yelled at her to move back and, despite her efforts to comply, repeatedly slammed his bicycle into her legs.

“They were actively using the bikes as battering rams to shove people back,” Panagi said. “You can see in my video that I’m with everybody else that also has press credentials. It was, again, very, very crowded. There was nowhere for us to go.”

In footage she posted to Instagram, an officer can be heard repeating “Get out” and “Step back,” shouting louder each time. Panagi is heard responding, “We’re going,” but the officer continues to lift his bike, pushing it into her.

Panagi said her legs were scratched and bruised from the incident, and that she was frustrated that it had happened at all.

“It’s like: Dude, I’m here working too. I’m not trying to be in your way,” she told the Tracker. “I’m just trying to take some photos and go home.”

Panagi added that she was wearing press credentials issued by the New York City mayor’s office, as well as from the Freelance Journalists Union, and was clearly identifiable as press.

A public information officer for the Philadelphia Police Department told the Tracker via email that officers regularly use bicycles when responding to protests for their “mobility and flexibility in navigating large crowds.” ​

Sgt. Eric Gripp added that the department takes allegations of misconduct seriously. “If there is information suggesting that a media member was treated unjustly or deliberately struck by an officer, we strongly encourage the individual to file an official complaint with our Internal Affairs Bureau,” Gripp wrote.