United States: CFWIJ condemns the police brutality faced by student journalists from The Ohio State University during the George Floyd protests
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Photo Credit: AFP
May 10, 2021, Columbus- Student journalists from The Ohio State University allege that they were pepper-sprayed by the Columbus police force while covering the George Floyd protests last year. No resolution was reached between the student group and the law enforcement agency since the incident took place. Students are still seeking justice for the violence they faced while doing their jobs while receiving silence from the authorities in charge.
Student journalist Marisa Twigg wrote a recent article demanding justice for her colleagues that were subjected to police brutality on the field. Even a year later she believes accountability from those in power is an important step forward to preserve press freedom in her city. "There hasn't been much follow-up in terms of discussion between the police and the student journalists. One reason we are tracking this is that press freedom is a really important issue here in Columbus and across the country of course," Twigg said in an interview with Spectrum News 1.
Maeve Walsh, the former special projects editor for the student publication, The Lantern, was the journalist who was pepper-sprayed on the night of the protests by the police. She had stated Twigg earlier about the attack she faced. "When we were pepper-sprayed and no longer able to cover the rest of the events that night, who knows how many people could have been arrested? Who knows if any violence happened? Who knows what? Being censored like that by members of the law enforcement is a clear violation of the first amendment," she said. According to Twigg, the police have not followed up with Walsh’s complaints even as she continues to seek justice.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism thoroughly condemns this attack. Student journalists are the most vulnerable amongst the news community for they are only just stepping foot into the field. Attacking them is a cowardly and reprehensible act. The demands and appeals of those who were subjected to police brutality need to be heard, and the perpetrators should be immediately held accountable.
