Hi John,
In the past few weeks, we’ve seen members of law enforcement in cities across the country attack, arrest, and intimidate journalists and reporters who are covering the protests against police brutality on Black Americans.
Some of these instances were filmed on iPhones, others happened on live TV before our eyes.
In response, I’ve joined my colleagues in the House of Representatives in introducing a resolution that calls for increased protection for members of the free press. This will include allowing journalists to continue their reporting past city curfews -- as this right is protected under the First Amendment.
A non-partisan group called the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker has reported more than 400 cases of the law enforcement attacking or restraining members of the free press during these recent demonstrations. Even after presenting press passes and identifying themselves as members of the media, members of law enforcement have used tear gas, pepper spray, pepper balls, and rubber bullets against reporters and media staff who are just doing their jobs to keep the American public informed on what is happening on the ground.
One member of the press was shot in the face and has permanently lost vision in her eye. The police fired projectiles at an MSNBC reporter and her team, shot a KPCC/LAist reporter in the throat, and arrested Omar Jimenez despite him showing his credentials and agreeing to comply. Jimenez is an African-American and Latino journalist.
I will not stand by as our press -- a key component of our democracy -- is met with violence for just doing their job.
In the following days and weeks, I will continue fighting for change and working to pass policies that will deliver justice to our communities and protect the truth.
Thank you for your continued support of our shared values and trusting me to do this work in Washington on behalf of families across southeast Pennsylvania.
More soon,
Mary Gay
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