A federal judge believes the First Amendment “deserves better”, forbidding federal agents from journalists who target crowd-controlled weapons during protests.
Attorneys from the City of Los Angeles and the Department of Homeland Security believe that it is not always possible for police to separate journalists from protesters during the chaotic demonstrations.
But U.S. District Court Judge Hernán D. Vera, unmoved, ordered restrictions on his use of fewer deadly weapons in street protests in July.
Vera wrote that federal officials “released crowd control weapons as surprisingly barbarians.”
“Indeed, under the guise of protecting the public, federal agents jeopardize a large number of peaceful protesters, legal observers and journalists – and the public who rely on them to hold them accountable,” Vera wrote in the 45-page comment. “The First Amendment requires better.”
Vera wrote that he hopes federal authorities will spread the orders to officials and agents in the field.
The judge has not yet ruled against allegations of its officials in a separate lawsuit against LAPD.
Vera Left bruises and bloody After being hit by a baton from a LAPD officer.
Tuesday’s decision on the Department of Homeland Security added provisions from Villa’s previous ruling, which also restricted the use of less weapons to protesters who “protesters themselves do not pose a threat to law enforcement officers or others.” ”
The ruling marks a major victory for the Press Self-organizing Alliance, who argued in court that judicial intervention is necessary to curb “continued abuse” by media members involved in demonstrations.
“Since the federal government began its violence, chaos invasion in Southern California, our communities have risen together to witness and speak out for neighbors and loved ones,” Adrienna Wong, a senior staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union in Southern California, said in a statement.
Under the order, crowd control measures are prohibited, including hard foam projectile launchers, tear gas, stun grenades and batons, used near press members, legal observers and protesters or near protesters, “unless this force is a force that stops threats of direct and serious bodily harm to someone.”
Attorneys from two government entities opposed such a widespread injunction at a recent court hearing, saying it was unrealistic and would ultimately put law enforcement at risk.
Vera disagreed, writing: “Shots of hot tear gas tanks directly at people…will undoubtedly relax the efforts made by the media to report on these public events.”
