Press Groups Sue LAPD Over Journalist Mistreatment

Multiple press organizations, including the Los Angeles Press Club and Status Coup, have filed a federal lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and city officials, alleging repeated violations of journalists' First Amendment rights during protests against President Trump's immigration policies. The lawsuit cites incidents where journalists, despite displaying press credentials, were shot with less-lethal projectiles, tear-gassed, detained, and blocked from covering protests, echoing patterns seen after George Floyd’s killing. Plaintiffs argue that these actions constitute a longstanding pattern of excessive force and obstruction by the LAPD, creating a dangerous environment for journalists and undermining public access to information. The suit seeks court orders to halt what it describes as 'continuing abuse' of the press and to enforce protections for journalists under constitutional and statutory law. Press advocates emphasize the essential role of a free press in democracy. The LAPD has declined to comment on the pending lawsuit.