The lawsuit alleges federal officials used unconstitutional actions against journalists covering protests in Los Angeles.
Australian journalist shot with rubber bullets in Los Angeles
9News Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was shot with a rubber bullet while reporting from a protest in Los Angeles.
- The June 18th lawsuit was filed by the Los Angeles Press Club and the American News Guild Communications Worker.
- The lawsuit comes after the Los Angeles Press Club and other groups filed a June 16 lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, and a June 18 lawsuit against Los Angeles County over similar claims.
- The lawsuit will be filed in federal court in Los Angeles.
Several journalism and civil rights groups sued the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Christa Noem for describing federal officers as unconstitutional actions that unfolded in Los Angeles amid protests over immigration attacks in the city.
The American Civil Liberties Union is one of the legal counsels representing plaintiffs in the case, including workers at the Los Angeles Press Club and the American News Guild Communications.
The lawsuit has accused DHS officials of “unnecessary and indiscriminate” using less lethal ammunition to reporters, protesters and legal observers at demonstrations.
“Curging the freedom press and protester rights are calling cards for cowardly dictators and threaten to destroy our country,” the lawsuit said.
NewsGuild-CWA President John Schreus called the actions of federal officers an “attack on the rights of all Americans” in a June 19 news release.
“This nationally sanctioned violence against journalists is intended to stop the public from learning the truth,” he said. “We are proud to take part in this fight and end the indemnity of DHS officers who attack workers who demand accountability and strengthen free press.”
The lawsuit was filed in US District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles. USA Today contacted DHS for comment.
The lawsuit warned the city’s potential First Amendment violations office a week after press freedom and civil rights groups wrote to NOEM.
The Los Angeles Press Club was part of a June 16 lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles and its police department, filed similar issues on June 18th against Los Angeles County and its Sheriff’s Department.
The protests against the city’s immigration attack began on June 6th and grew the following day, urging President Donald Trump to order both the National Guard and Marines to the city. California Governor Gavin Newsom called such a move “blatant abuse of power,” and the state sued the administration over Trump’s orders.
Brieanna Frank is USA Today’s first revised reporting fellow. Contact her at bjfrank@usatoday.com.
Reports on the First Amendment issue for USA Today are funded through collaborations between the Freedom Forum and Journalism’s fundraising partners. Funders do not provide editor input.
