Nine journalist shot by rubber bullets in US previously celebrated jailing of anti-lockdown protest organiser

Sky News AU

a day ago

An Australian journalist who was shot by a rubber bullet in the United States previously celebrated the jailing of a protester who organised anti-Covid lockdown rallies.
Nine News US correspondent Lauren Tomasi was covering anti-immigration enforcement rallies in Los Angeles when she was hit in the leg by a rubber bullet in an incident which has sparked concern at the highest levels of the Australian government.
However a tweet has resurfaced in which the Nine journalist described the jailing of protest organiser Anthony Khallouf as a 'good result' which would act as a 'warning' to others.
The Nine journalist was responding to a breaking news that Mr Khallouf had been sentenced to a maximum of eight months in prison – with a non-parole period of three months – for his involvement in organising an anti-lockdown protest in Sydney, and for breaching public health orders by travelling to Sydney from Queensland.
'This is a good result. And hopefully a warning to any other 'freedom rally' protestors who want to attend tomorrow,' Tomasi said in 2021.
Australian anti-lockdown protests were met with extreme force during the Covid pandemic, including the use of rubber bullets.
Tomasi was covering violent anti-immigration enforcement protests in Los Angeles on Monday when a law enforcement officer appeared to line his weapon up and fire directly at her.
The Australian journalist can be seen grabbing her leg and yelling in pain before running away and telling her cameraman she was ok.
She has since revealed that she has a nasty bruise but is otherwise 'good'.
However the incident has sparked outrage among press freedom advocates and caused concern at the highest levels of the Australian government.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed he had spoken to Ms Tomasi on Tuesday Morning, describing the incident as 'not acceptable'.
'She's going okay, she's pretty resilient, I've got to say. But that footage was horrific," the Prime Minister said.
'That was the footage of an Australian journalist doing what journalists do at their very best… which is to go into an environment that's not comfortable, but where in LA it is not unreasonable to think that she would not have been targeted with a rubber bullet.
'It is not unreasonable to think that she could go about her coverage, clearly - as people can see the footage - clearly identified as media.
'So we have already raised these issues with the US administration. We don't find it acceptable that it occurred, and we think the role of the media is particularly important.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also confirmed the Australian Consulate-General in Los Angeles had been in contact with Ms Tomasi and 'stands ready to provide consular assistance if required'.
'Australia supports media freedom and the protection of journalists. All journalists should be able to do their work safely,' a DFAT spokesperson told SkyNews.com.au
Tomasi's colleague and Today show host Karl Stefanovic told viewers the incident could have occurred because of one of three reasons.
"A moment where an LA officer so thought his life was in danger he needed to discharge his weapon, an incompetent warning shot, or the act of a coward," he said.
Stefanovic described Tomasi as a 'hard-working, tenacious reporter who is always determined to be fair and balanced'.
"I get that it's dangerous to cops, too. What's happened to them in the line of duty and the position they are in is horrendous,' the Today show host added.
'But how is it okay for your police force to be firing at unarmed Australian journalists? If Albo is looking for a place to start with Donald Trump - as an Australian, I might start there."