A New Jersey police sergeant has been charged with stealing approximately $10,000 worth of camera equipment from an injured Associated Press photojournalist. The journalist, Angelina Katsanis, had left her marked gear bag behind while seeking medical attention after being hit during protests outside a Newark immigration jail. A geo-tracking device in the bag led authorities to the sergeant’s home, and his body camera footage reportedly showed him interacting with the bag at the protest site. Some of the recovered items, including cameras, bore the journalist’s identification.
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Former CNN host Don Lemon pleaded not guilty to federal civil rights charges stemming from his coverage of a protest at a Minnesota church. Lemon stated he was present as a journalist to chronicle the event, not to participate, and vowed to fight what he described as “baseless charges.” His attorney plans to raise First Amendment issues, emphasizing the importance of a free press in holding power accountable. Several other individuals, including civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong and independent journalist Georgia Fort, also face charges related to the protest.
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The Los Angeles Press Club and Status Coup filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles and its police chief, alleging that officers repeatedly violated journalists’ rights during recent protests. The suit claims that police used excessive force and intimidation tactics against reporters, hindering their ability to document public events. Numerous incidents, including journalists being struck by rubber bullets and physically assaulted, have been documented, with some reporters sustaining serious injuries requiring medical attention. The plaintiffs argue that these actions infringe upon the fundamental right to a free press and the public’s right to information.
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John Q. Hosedrinker