Fireworks explode around police officers in riot gear during a protest in response to federal immigration operations in the Little Tokyo neighborhood of downtown Los Angeles on June 9, 2025. (Photo: AFP/Frederic J. Brown)
Dear Friend,
As Los Angeles enters its fifth day of protests, sparked by June 6 immigration raids, journalists remain on the front lines—and many have not emerged unscathed.
- Officers shot Ryanne Mena, a crime reporter with the LA Daily News, and freelance reporter Sean Beckner-Carmitchel with pepper balls and tear gas on Friday and again on Saturday while they were reporting.
- Nick Stern, a British freelance photojournalist based in LA, underwent emergency surgery after a three-inch plastic bullet struck his leg on Sunday. Stern told the BBC he was wearing a press card around his neck and carrying his camera when he was shot.
- Lauren Tomasi, a reporter for Australia’s 9News, was deliberately shot in the leg with a rubber bullet while reporting live on Sunday. As of June 10, more than 25 other journalists reportedly have been assaulted or obstructed.
CPJ is deeply concerned by these attacks. Any attempt to intimidate, injure, or silence journalists through violence or harassment is unacceptable and must not be tolerated.
If you or someone you know is a journalist in the United States in need of assistance, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also access our U.S. journalist safety kit here.
Our teams will continue to monitor the situation, report on conditions for journalists on the ground, and provide emergency support as needed. It is due to your support that we are able to stand with our colleagues through this volatile moment.
Thank you. We will keep you informed.
With resolve,
Katherine Jacobsen
U.S., Canada, and Caribbean Program Coordinator
