Recent Police Assaults on Journalists and Peaceful Protesters

This is a very incomplete list of incidents from the past few days. The videos are disturbing, and many show blood and graphic violence.

I’m not arguing that there are zero protesters or outside agitators instigating violence. Nor am I interested in the “Not all cops!” debate. Sometimes cops commit assault. Sometimes, as in the killing of George Floyd, they simply stand by and let it happen. And yes, sometimes — all too rarely — they intervene to stop it.

These protests started after yet another instance of police brutality in the killing of an unarmed black man. If you don’t understand why the protests are needed, and why drastic change is long overdue, I hope some of the videos and reports below will help.

• A young black man on his knees, pleading desperately for love and understanding and compassion, is dragged away and cuffed by police in riot gear.
• A black man yelling in anger is dragged away by the police. Nearby protesters are pepper sprayed.
• Police beat a black boy and force a stick into his hand.
• Police fire paint canisters and shout “Light em up!” at people sitting peacefully on their own porch.
• Minneapolis Police fire on a CBS news crew who had their credentials and cameras out, and were peacefully recording and reporting events.
• NYPD officer who appears to have covered his badge number yanks down the mask of a black boy standing peacefully with his hands in the air, and pepper sprays him in the face.
• Salt Lake City police knock down an elderly man with a cane.
• Freelance photojournalist Linda Tirado has been blinded in one eye after being shot by police with a rubber bullet.
• Police assault Australian journalists more than a half hour before curfew went into effect.
• A black family in Van Nuys tries to flag down police for help protecting a neighborhood store. Police immediately handcuff the people who were asking for help.
• A reporter with credentials, repeatedly identifying himself as the press, is forced to the ground. Despite his compliance, the police pepper spray him at the 0:58 mark.
• Columbus police pepper spray members of the media, who are exempt from the curfew order.
• Minneapolis nurse describes being shot at by police while she was trying to help an injured man in the medical tent.
• NYPD officer strikes a protester with their car door while driving by.
• San Antonio police walk up and shoot a man who was recording them.
• NYPD officer calls a female protester a “stupid fucking bitch” and throws her to the ground.
• Denver police officer shoots a protester who was filming.
• Reporter shot in the throat by LA police.

Which are you more upset about? The assaults against property and things, or the widespread, unjustified police assaults against people?