United States: Journalists’ safety remains at stake after police launch projectiles and hinder coverage in Oregon protests

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July 25, 2020, Portland, Oregon -- As the unrest in and around the United States continue over the murder of George Floyd, police’s violent response remain to be targeting journalists.

Oregon in particular has been the target of unproportionate violence after the deployment of Federal Law Enforcement to the ground. Many reported unmarked vehicles picking up protesters which sparked fury across the nation.

According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, the tactic appears to be another escalation in federal force deployed on Portland city streets, as federal officials and President Donald Trump have said they plan to “quell” nightly protests outside the federal courthouse and Multnomah County Justice Center that have lasted for more than six weeks. 

This tactic is used in the Middle East, South Asia and South America as a first step to enforced disappearances. 

Following weeks of unrest, several newspapers and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) last month filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent federal officers from “assaulting news reporters, photographers, legal observers, and other neutrals who are documenting the police’s violent response to protests over the murder of George Floyd.”

Finally on Thursday afternoon a “temporary restraining order” was issued prohibiting federal officers deployed in Portland from using physical force against news reporters and legal observers documenting the ongoing protests and riots in that city.

This, however, did not stop the police violence targeting journalists.

Last night Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) general assignment reporter Rebecca Ellis was shot with three projectiles one hitting directly her hand, knocking her camera to the ground. Live video Ellis posted that the federal officers knowingly followed her and started marching towards her in a line. 

This kind of hostility towards journalists is a disgrace for the freedom of the press in the United States. The perpetrators who did not follow the temporary restraining order should be investigated. We urge United States law enforcement to respect citizens’ first amendment rights and stop attacking journalists.

Demonstrations sparked across United States after murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, in the pursuit of justice. With numerous police forces deployed to protest sites, journalists face constant threat of violence, arrest and censorship. Hundreds of journalists have reported to have faced attempts at censorship, verbal attacks, blatant threats and police violence. Hundreds of journalists have been arrested while on duty and black journalists who take the ongoing civil unrest very personally are especially targeted. At least 34 women journalists have faced a form of threat or attack covering the protests. CFWIJ follows the events closely with great concern.