Australian reporter hit by rubber bullet during LA protest as Australia demands answers over press safety.
Australian journalist shot with rubber bullet while covering anti-ICE
protests in LA.
Los Angeles, United States – An Australian journalist was struck by a
rubber bullet while reporting live on protests in Los Angeles on Sunday, as
demonstrators clashed with police over Donald Trump’s recent immigration
crackdown.
Lauren Tomasi, Nine Network’s U.S. correspondent, was hit in the leg during
a chaotic police operation in downtown Los Angeles. The protests were sparked
by aggressive ICE raids in neighborhoods like Compton and Boyle Heights,
drawing large crowds and resulting in heavy-handed responses by the LAPD and
National Guard.
The incident, which was broadcast live on Australian television, has
raised international alarm over press safety. Australia’s Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade issued a statement condemning the shooting: “All journalists
should be able to do their work safely. Australia supports media freedom and
the protection of journalists.”
Before being hit, Tomasi was delivering a live update: “After hours of
standing off, this situation has now rapidly deteriorated, the LAPD moving in
on horseback, firing rubber bullets at protesters, moving them on through the
heart of LA.” Moments later, footage captured an officer aiming and firing
directly toward Tomasi and her camera crew. She screamed in pain, clutching her
calf, as a bystander shouted: “You just fucking shot the reporter!”
Despite the injury, Tomasi assured those nearby, “I’m good,” before
being moved from the scene for treatment.
Australian politicians swiftly reacted. Greens Senator Sarah
Hanson-Young called the shooting “simply shocking” and demanded Prime Minister
Anthony Albanese seek an “urgent explanation” from the U.S. administration.
“The first thing he must tell the president is to stop shooting at our
journalists,” she said. “Freedom of the press is a fundamental pillar of a
strong, functioning democracy.”
Senator Matt Canavan expressed concern but warned against immediate
conclusions: “It looks like there was a targeting there... but I’m loth to jump
to conclusions when you just see part of the footage.” Meanwhile, Greens
Senator Nick McKim urged immediate diplomatic pressure, calling the incident “a
gross violation” and urging Australia to respond “at the highest possible
level.”
The protests, now entering their third week, erupted after a wave of ICE
raids and detentions across Southern California. Sunday's demonstration in
Compton escalated into violence when protesters were met by armored police
vehicles, tear gas, and crowd control munitions. Several journalists and
photojournalists, including a British reporter, were also struck by non-lethal
rounds.
This is not the first time foreign journalists have been harmed during
U.S. protests. In 2020, Australian reporter Amelia Brace was struck by police
during Black Lives Matter demonstrations in Washington, D.C., prompting a
similar diplomatic response.
The use of force by the LAPD and the National Guard is under renewed scrutiny,
especially with the reimplementation of Trump-era immigration enforcement
policies. Civil rights groups have called for an independent review, citing
disproportionate responses against journalists and peaceful demonstrators.
With Albanese potentially meeting Donald Trump at next week’s G7 summit
in Canada, pressure is mounting for the Australian government to demand
accountability. It remains unclear whether the U.S. officer involved in the
incident will face disciplinary action.
For now, the shooting of Lauren Tomasi has become emblematic of broader
concerns surrounding press freedom and police militarization during civil
unrest in the United States.
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