14 hours ago
Australian reporter Lauren Tomasi shot by Los Angeles police while covering anti-immigration protests ordered by Donald Trump
Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was struck with a rubber bullet while reporting on anti-immigration protests in Downtown Los Angeles. The incident occurred on Sunday and was captured live on camera. Tomasi, a correspondent for Nine News US, was speaking on-air when police on horseback advanced on demonstrators and opened fire with rubber bullets. The video shows Tomasi being hit in the leg during the broadcast.
In the footage, she describes the moment saying, 'After hours of standing off, this situation has now rapidly deteriorated, the LAPD moving in on horseback, firing rubber bullets at protesters, moving them on through the heart of LA.' A bystander is heard reacting, telling an officer, 'You just fucking shot the reporter!' Another voice asks Tomasi if she is okay, to which she calmly responds, 'I'm good.'
Nine News confirms safety of team, calls for awareness
Nine News later confirmed that both Lauren Tomasi and her camera operator were unharmed. 'This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face while reporting from the frontlines of protests, underscoring the importance of their role in providing vital information,' the network stated, as quoted by The Guardian on Monday. Despite the incident, Tomasi is expected to continue reporting from the field.
WATCH: 'You just f*cking shot the press!'Australian Journalist @LaurenTomasi shot by LAPD with rubber bullets live on air. You can see him take aim directly at her. Insane.
Protests intensify over federal troop deployment
The protests in Los Angeles were part of a larger public reaction to President Donald Trump's decision to take federal control of California's state military and send troops into the city. According to US media, this kind of intervention had not been seen in decades and was described by California Governor Gavin Newsom as 'purposefully inflammatory.'
The protests, which drew thousands of people, are linked to recent immigration enforcement actions in the city, known for its significant Latino population. Over the previous two days, federal agents used flash-bang grenades and tear gas in confrontations with crowds angered by the detention of dozens of migrants.
LAPD declares Downtown LA an unlawful assembly zone
In response to the escalating unrest, the Los Angeles Police Department declared Downtown LA as an 'unlawful assembly' zone. Police posted a notice on X (formerly Twitter), stating, 'You are to leave the Downtown area immediately.' Law enforcement officers patrolled the streets on horseback, in full riot gear, guarding federal buildings and making arrests.
President Trump has also ordered the arrest of protestors wearing masks. Since taking office in January, he has pledged to crack down on undocumented immigration, referring to migrants as 'monsters' and 'animals.' This recent show of force appears to be a continuation of that policy.
