Gunpoint at Journalists: The Cost of "Freedom of the Press" Highlighted by LAPD Lawsuit / Illegal Use of Force Against Journalists Covering Immigration?

1. Overview of the Incident: Class Action Lawsuit by "Journalists Shot During Coverage"

On June 16, 2025, a class action lawsuit was filed in federal court against the City of Los Angeles and the LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department). The plaintiffs, consisting of over a dozen journalists from the Los Angeles Press Club and the independent media outlet "Status Coup," claim they were "intentionally shot with rubber bullets, charged at by horses, and obstructed from filming" while covering protests against immigration deportations (ICE) that have been ongoing since early June. The lawsuit seeks damages and a permanent injunction based on the First Amendment (freedom of the press) and the Fourteenth Amendment (equal protection) of the United States Constitution. The NPPA (National Press Photographers Association) also condemned the actions as "repeated unconstitutional acts" in a statement.npr.orgaxios.com

2. Background: Mass Immigration Raids and "No Kings" Protests

The incident was sparked by a large-scale immigration raid conducted by the federal government at the end of May, which reportedly resulted in the detention of over 300 individuals, primarily in Latino communities across the city. In June, protests named "No Kings" erupted daily in downtown, with up to 15,000 people gathering in front of City Hall at their peak. The city police deployed riot squads and mounted units, using tear gas and "less-lethal" bean bag rounds and sponge rounds to disperse the crowds. However, the plaintiffs point out that journalists displaying press cards were also targeted.latimes.com

3. The Reality of "Targeted Shooting" as Depicted in the Complaint

The complaint lists 52 individual cases, including an incident where Lauren Tomasi, a correspondent for Australia's Nine News, was shot in the chest with a rubber bullet and rushed to the hospital. The scene of Tomasi's injury quickly spread on social media, with a video featuring the on-site audio "You just f—ing shot the reporter!" garnering millions of views. The plaintiffs' attorney asserts that the LAPD has shown no willingness to learn from past rulings that repeatedly emphasized the "duty to protect the press."

4. Anger and Distrust Reflected on Social Media

On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #ProtectThePress and #LAPD trended. Posts such as "A day when freedom of the press was targeted" (NewsGuild-CWA) and "Are they turning violence even on foreign media?" (9News Australia) appeared in succession, with quote retweets of on-site videos continuing to rise until late at night. Many citizen accounts also pointed out structural discrimination, stating, "If even a white female reporter is shot, then people of color have no safety." Public opinion on social media largely sympathized with the plaintiffs, with over 30,000 critical replies to the LAPD's official account's brief statement of "fact-checking," leading to a backlash.

5. Response from LAPD and City Authorities: Silence and Defense

Interim Chief Choi of the police department explained in a press conference that "bottles and firecrackers were thrown from the crowd, making it impossible to immediately determine whether someone was identified as a reporter." However, the press club countered, stating that "each media outlet had notified the police of the color and logo of press vests in advance." The city also refrained from detailed comments due to ongoing litigation, while the city council reported at an emergency meeting that night that "the cost of responding to the protests has already exceeded $19 million."latimes.com

6. Past Cases and the "LAPD Culture"

In Los Angeles, lawsuits over press assaults have arisen during events such as the 2020 BLM protests and the 2022 Rodeo Drive retail looting incident, with the federal district court repeatedly ordering the city to pay compensation. This lawsuit characterizes the series of incidents as a "chronic and systemic problem," seeking measures to prevent recurrence. The Washington Post points out that "over the past five years, the LAPD has paid more than $8 million in settlements related to the press," reaching a level that cannot be ignored in terms of its impact on the city budget.washingtonpost.com

7. Civil Society's Reaction—Solidarity Between Journalists and Citizens

Immediately after the lawsuit was filed, unions under the AFL-CIO and immigrant advocacy groups issued a joint statement declaring, "Violence against the press is violence against democracy." In front of City Hall, banners reading "Press Freedom Is Immigrant Freedom" were displayed, and scenes of journalists and citizens standing together were widespread. The protest movement has also spread to the UCLA student newspaper and the Southern California Japanese American Conference, fostering a multicultural solidarity movement.

8. The Significance from the Perspective of Japanese Media—Not Just "Someone Else's Problem"

While the Japanese press club system poses less physical danger compared to overseas media, issues such as the exclusion of freelance journalists from press conferences at the Prime Minister's Office indicate the presence of "restrictions on reporting access." This case serves as an extreme example of how "even free reporting environments can be closed off by violence," acting as a mirror to re-examine the speech environment. Especially in Japan, where policy discussions surrounding immigrants and foreign workers are intensifying, it is urgent to establish safety standards for reporting sites and create information-sharing protocols with the police.

9. The Course of Legal Battles—Intersection with California State Law

At the state level, AB 48 (the Police Use of Force Limitation Act during Crowd Control), enacted in 2023, is expected to become a major point of contention for the first time. State legislator Luna, who was involved in drafting the bill, stated on social media, "AB 48 explicitly includes provisions to protect the press. This case is a clear violation." As the ruling will serve as a litmus test for the effectiveness of state law, police departments across the United States are paying close attention.

10. The International Perspective—Impact on the Press Freedom Index

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warned on its official website on the 17th that "the United States risks falling to 42nd place in the Press Freedom Index." The Biden administration responded to questions from the White House press corps by stating it was "under the jurisdiction of local police," but an international image decline is unavoidable. On the same evening, the EU External Action Service announced that it would "examine the facts and, if necessary, convey concerns through diplomatic channels," indicating that the domestic issue may develop into a diplomatic one.

11. The Latin Community and Japanese Companies

The escalating tension between the LAPD and immigrant communities could impact the logistics network in downtown, where many Japanese companies are based. The local Chamber of Commerce reported that "some transport routes were blocked during nighttime protests, prompting companies like Nippon Express to adjust delivery times." It is necessary to monitor this case as it visualizes social unrest as a business risk.

12. Technology x Journalism—Safety Measures in the Era of Live Streaming

In this incident, 4K live streaming via smartphones played a significant role in preserving evidence, while "streamer hunting," where streamers were targeted, was also confirmed. As live reporting increases in Japan during local elections and sports events, the introduction of smartphone rigs with bulletproof plates and open-source emergency communication apps like "Briar" is worth considering.

13. Lessons—The Courage to Keep Distance and the Determination to Speak Out

Freedom of the press is both a right and an action that entails risks. While facing the dilemma of incomplete reporting by keeping distance on the ground, taking legal action instead of remaining silent when violence occurs is a practical example of making rights function as rights.

14. Conclusion: Who Pays the "Cost of Freedom"?

This lawsuit has made visible the "cost of freedom" that not only journalists but the entire city bears. Whether choosing a settlement or reform, the enormous burden is unavoidable. However, this cost should ultimately return to the citizens in the form of a society where "freedom of the press is protected." What is happening in Los Angeles is also a challenge that Japanese society may face in the near future.axios.comlatimes.com