Brandon Chew at People’s World reports the NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America (CWA) is calling for investigations into Law Enforcement Officers they say have illegally targeted Journalists with “less-lethal rounds and tear gas” amid ongoing protests in Los Angeles against Federal immigration raids. The Union, which represents 28,000 Journalists and other Workers, said Los Angeles Police Officers “have fired on Local, National and Foreign Reporters” in what they say is a violation of California State Law and the First Amendment. There have been at least 35 attacks against Journalists covering the Los Angeles protests since June 6th, according to Reporters Without Borders. NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss said: “The First Amendment protects the right to photograph and record matters of public interest, including the right to record Law Enforcement Officers engaged in the exercise of their official duties in public spaces. Journalists reporting on events and not interfering with Federal operations cannot be subject to general dispersal orders and they cannot be unreasonably searched or have their equipment seized. The NewsGuild-CWA strongly condemns the targeting of Journalists by multiple Law Enforcement Agencies. We demand that every Law Enforcement Agency take steps to ensure the safety of all Journalists and open investigations into any officer violating the rights of Journalists doing their jobs. Journalists play a crucial role in holding power to account, particularly during times of crisis and protest. When Law Enforcement targets Reporters, it’s not just an attack on individuals - it’s an attack on every American’s right to a free press. The U.S. Government must defend that freedom, not undermine it. Journalism is not a crime.”

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