United States: Police target journalists in fear of accountability, photographer Maranie Rae Staab pushed and injured

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August 19, 2020, Oregon, United States -- 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.

Freelance photographer Maranie Rae Staab has been documenting the protests and the police brutality in Portland not only as part of her journalistic duty but also to fulfill her civic duty to document injustice to hold the perpetrators accountable.

The journalist became the target of a violent attack on August 17 while she was filming an officer removing the mask of a protester as they were gassing the crowd. He saw Maranie filming and threw her backwards causing her to fall and get scrapes and bruises.

“I am #Press. I was standing on the sidewalk. I was not interfering. I realize it is “just a scrape“. 

I will be fine. But that is not the point. I am but one example of the continued attacks on the press at the #portlandprotests.” wrote Maranie on her twitter post.

At the time of the vicious attack, Maranie was clearly identifiable as press and she was able to take the badge number of the perpetrator. It is despicable that the police who are supposed to de-escalate the situation deliberately assault the press and impede them at work.

Last month, Oregon Public Broadcasting reporter Rebecca Ellis was targeted by the police in a similar manner. She was shot by a projectile three times on her hand causing her to lose grip of her camera. 

This kind of hostility towards journalists is a disgrace for the freedom of the press in the United States. Journalists need to be able to cover the protests safely and those officers who do 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 35 women journalists have faced a form of threat or attack covering the protests. CFWIJ follows the events closely with great concern.