United States: CFWIJ highly condemns the police assault against Carolyn Sung

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April 19, 2021- Carolyn Sung, an Asian-American CNN producer, was pushed to the ground after identifying herself as press while covering the Daunte Wright protests. Carolyn had her credentials visible and did not resist while being bound by the police. When Carolyn complained about the zip ties being too tight around her wrists, one Minnesota state police trooper yelled at her "Do you speak English?". Carolyn was racially profiled, and despite identifying herself as a journalist, she was arrested on Tuesday, April 13. At the police station, Carolyn was physically searched and ordered to wear an orange jumpsuit. CFWIJ is appalled by the details of Carolyn's arrest and the disrespect she experienced at the police station. We demand law enforcement authorities issue an apology for their mistreatment towards the journalist and explain their unjustified use of force and deliberate racial discrimination. 

The harrowing details of Carolyn's arrest came into light as attorney Leita Walker wrote a detailed account of police interference with journalists. She wrote to Gov. Tim Waltz, explaining the assault and humiliation media workers have faced from law enforcement on multiple occasions, without provocation, while covering unrest at Brooklyn Center. In her statement, Leita explained the details of Carolyn's arrest. According to the letter, Carolyn Sung was transported to the Hennepin County Jail, where she was patted down and thoroughly searched by a female police officer. At the station, the police collected Carolyn’s fingerprints, conducted a full body scan, and ordered the journalist to put on an orange uniform. Carolyn’s attorneys arrived two hours after the journalist’s arrest, and she was subsequently released.

Several journalists and media organizations have criticized the Minnesota police’s mistreatment of Carolyn Sung. They have asked Gov. Waltz to clarify why this happened to a journalist who clearly identified herself as press, and why she was racially profiled. Journalist Christina Binkley described the injustice against Carolyn, "I literally never thought I’d see this sort of treatment of journalists in America. What authorities did to CNN producer Carolyn Sung is a crime, and an anti-Asian crime."

Earlier this week, a federal judge issued a restraining order forbidding the use of force against journalists, but several incidents of police assault against the media have since been reported. Minnesota State Governor shared his regret on Twitter yesterday, stating,  “A free press is foundational to our democracy. Reporters worked tirelessly during this tumultuous year to keep Minnesotans informed. I convened a meeting today with media and law enforcement to determine a better path forward to protect the journalists covering civil unrest." 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism hopes the necessary measures will be taken to ensure the safety of journalists. We offer our supply to Carolyn Sung and all the brave journalists covering the Daunte Wright protests. We commend them for their courage and commitment. CFWIJ believes it is imperative that police stop harassing media workers and respect the principles of press freedom.