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Sky News AU
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Albanese government responds after Australian journalist shot by authorities during Los Angeles protests
The Albanese government has confirmed that officials are in contact with an Australian journalist who was shot with a rubber bullet while covering violent protests in Los Angeles. The Albanese government has confirmed that officials are in contact with journalist Lauren Tomasi, who was shot with a rubber bullet while covering violent protests in Los Angeles. The Channel Nine News' US Correspondent was reporting on authorities firing rubber bullets when she was shot by an officer. In a statement provided to Sky News, a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said they were 'in contact' with an Australian injured in the protests. 'The Australian Consulate-General in Los Angeles is in contact with an Australian injured in protests, and stands ready to provide consular assistance if required' the spokesperson said. 'Australia supports media freedom and the protection of journalists. All journalists should be able to do their work safely, 'The Smartraveller travel advice for the US currently advises Australians to avoid areas where demonstrations and protests are occurring due to the ongoing potential for unrest and violence. 'Australians should monitor the media for information and updates, and follow the instructions of local authorities.' — 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) June 9, 2025 In video footage shared online, an officer can be seen lining up his weapon at Ms Tomasi and fires at her after she finished her report. Ms Tomasi could be seen wincing in pain before insisting she was 'good' as she and her cameraman retreated from the scene. The incident occurred amid escalating demonstrations across Los Angeles in response to President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement raids. Violent clashes have broken out between protesters and police, prompting the deployment of National Guard troops. Authorities have declared some protests 'unlawful assemblies', citing projectiles thrown at officers. Greens Senator and media spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young condemned the shooting, calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to seek an explanation from the US. 'US authorities shooting an Australian journalist is simply shocking,' Ms Hanson-Young said in a statement on Monday. 'It is completely unacceptable and must be called out. The Prime Minister must seek an urgent explanation from the US administration. 'As Albanese is preparing for his first meeting with President Trump, the first thing he must tell the President is to stop shooting at our journalists.' Mr Albanese and President Trump are expected to meet at the G7 Summit in Canada between June 15 and 17. Tensions continue to rise in California following Trump's deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops, a move labelled 'unlawful' by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. In a post on Truth Social, the US President claimed LA had been 'invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals'. 'Violent, insurrectionist mobs are swarming and attacking our Federal Agents to try and stop our deportation operations — But these lawless riots only strengthen our resolve,' the President said.
Economic Times
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Watch: Aussie journalist hit by rubber bullet on Live TV while covering LA protests over Trump's immigration raids
AP A protestor is detained in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following immigration raid protest. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) An Australian journalist has been shot with a rubber bullet in Los Angeles amid riots and protests over immigration raids. As riot police advanced with non-lethal munitions, Channel Nine News' US Correspondent Lauren Tomasi was struck in the leg by a non-lethal rubber bullet. She cried out and immediately grabbed her thigh. Her cameraman asked if she was okay. She replied, 'Yeah, I'm good, I'm good' before retreating to the video: U.S. Correspondent Lauren Tomasi has been caught in the crossfire as the LAPD fired rubber bullets at protesters in the heart of Los Angeles. #9News LATEST: — 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) June 9, 2025 The protests began Friday in response to ICE-led deportation operations in the fashion district, a Home Depot, and a clothing wholesaler. Reports say more than 100 people were arrested, and federal agents used stun grenades and tear gas to disperse crowds. By Sunday, demonstrations had grown increasingly fierce. Protesters set police vehicles ablaze on major streets. Clashes included pepper spray, flash-bang grenades, and thrown response to the unrest, President Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops in an unprecedented, unilateral move without clearance from California's governor, the first of its kind since 1967. Governor Gavin Newsom denounced the deployment as 'unlawful' and 'purposefully inflammatory,' criticizing it as federal overreach that could escalate violence. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also questioned the decision's legitimacy and urged calm among Trump defended his actions, calling the protests a 'migrant invasion' and saying federal troops were needed to 'restore order and expel undocumented migrants.' He warned of the possible deployment of active-duty Marines if unrest persisted. Protesters across downtown Los Angeles, along with satellite clashes in Paramount and Compton, blocked highways, launched fireworks, and set vehicles on fire. Police used tear gas and employed ISP enforcement to control crowds. Over 100 arrests occurred, and several people were in Los Angeles arrested approximately 30 individuals on Saturday, including three who were suspected of assaulting an movement has become a focal point in the national debate over immigration and federal versus state authority. Critics, including the ACLU and California Democrats, condemned the deployment as authoritarian. They argue it undercuts state sovereignty and chills peaceful protest. Pro-Trump voices defended the move as essential for public safety.
Sky News AU
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Australian journalist caught in crossfire as LA protests turn violent over Trump immigration raids
An Australian journalist has been shot by a rubber bullet in Los Angeles while reporting on police using rubber bullets against protesters amid riots about President Donald Trump's immigration raids. An Australian journalist has been shot by a rubber bullet in Los Angeles amid riots and protests over immigration raids. Channel Nine News' US Correspondent Lauren Tomasi was reporting on authorities firing rubber bullets when she was shot. The officer can be seen lining up his weapon at Ms Tomasi and fires at her after she finished her report. Ms Tomasi can be heard wincing and grabbing her calf before saying she was 'good' as she and the cameraman ran away. — 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) June 9, 2025 California National Guard troops arrived in Los Angeles to quell demonstrations over President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement. The National Guard began deploying as demonstrations over federal immigration raids continued for a third day in Los Angeles, culminating in confrontations between protesters and police. Los Angeles police declared one rally near City Hall to be an "unlawful assembly", alleging that some protesters threw concrete, bottles and other objects at police. "Arrests are being initiated," the department wrote in a post on social media. Demonstrators shouted "shame on you" at police and some appeared to throw objects, according to a video. A group of protesters blocked the 101 Freeway, a major thoroughfare in downtown Los Angeles. Groups of protesters, many carrying Mexican flags and signs denouncing US immigration authorities, gathered in several spots around the city. The Los Angeles branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation organised speakers outside of City Hall for an afternoon rally. California Governor Gavin Newsom said he requested the Trump administration withdraw its order to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles County, calling it unlawful. Newsom accused Trump of trying to manufacture a crisis and violating California's state sovereignty. "These are the acts of a dictator, not a President," he wrote in a post on X. The White House disputed Newsom's characterisation, saying in a statement that "everyone saw the chaos, violence and lawlessness". Earlier, about a dozen National Guard members, along with Department of Homeland Security personnel, pushed back a group of demonstrators that amassed outside a federal building in downtown Los Angeles, video showed. US Northern Command said 300 members of the California National Guard had been deployed to three areas in the Los Angeles area. Their mission was limited to protecting federal personnel and property. Trump in a social media post on Sunday, called the demonstrators "violent, insurrectionist mobs" and said he was directing his cabinet officers "to take all such action necessary" to stop what he called "riots". Speaking to reporters in New Jersey, he threatened violence against demonstrators who spit on police or National Guard troops, saying "they spit, we hit". He did not cite any specific incidents. "If we see danger to our country and to our citizens, it will be very, very strong in terms of law and order," Trump said. National Guard troops were also seen in Paramount, in southeast Los Angeles, near the Home Depot, the site of altercations between protesters and police on Saturday. Law enforcement faced off with a few hundred protesters in Paramount and 100 in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, with federal officers firing gas canisters in efforts to disperse crowds, according to Reuters witnesses. Authorities in Los Angeles arrested about 30 people on Saturday, including three on suspicion of assaulting an officer. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office said three deputies sustained minor injuries. Sky News / Reuters
