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Los Angeles police cannot detain or fire weapons at journalists covering protests, judge rules
Protesters face off with police outside of a federal building in downtown Los Angeles for an anti-Trump "No Kings Day" demonstration.
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Spencer Platt
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Getty Images
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Topline:
The Los Angeles Police Department cannot remove, detain or fire their weapons at members of the press who are covering protests, a federal judge ruled Friday.
What does the ruling say? The LAPD is prohibited from removing or prohibiting journalists from entering closed areas and intentionally “assaulting” or interfering with a reporter, according to the temporary restraining order issued Friday. Police also cannot cite, detain, or arrest a reporter for failing to disperse or violating a curfew. The LAPD is also prohibited from using less-lethal munitions — such as rubber bullets and tear gas — against journalists who are “not posing a threat of imminent harm to an officer or another person.”
The backstory: Press groups last month filed a federal lawsuit against the LAPD, alleging the use of force violated the rights of journalists covering the L.A. immigration protests. The suit also claims reporters were barred from areas they legally have access to and that journalists “suffered excessive force and harassment by LAPD officers.”
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What does the judge say? “When journalists persisted in documenting the protests, it appears from the evidence presented that they faced an onslaught of projectiles and other shows of physical force,” U.S. District Judge Hernán D. Vera wrote in the court order. “On some occasions, LAPD officers purportedly targeted individuals who were clearly identifiable as members of the press.”
What's next: The department has 72 hours to inform all LAPD officers of the order. The judge’s temporary court order is in effect for the next two weeks. A hearing is scheduled for July 24. An LAPD spokesperson said the department does not comment on pending litigation.
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