Attorney General Bonta: Protect press freedom, not police abuse

When journalists are attacked for reporting, the First Amendment is on the line -- and California's top law enforcement official must act.

Harris, We must take back freedom of the press -- before it's silenced for good. A democracy cannot survive without a free press -- and a free press cannot function when it's under attack. In a now-viral moment, Australian reporter Lauren Tomasi was clearly identifiable as press, reporting on camera when a police officer fired a rubber bullet directly at her. Her cry of pain is captured on air before the footage cuts out. Australia's Prime Minister formally protested to President Trump, calling the attack "horrific" and stating clearly: "There was no ambiguity." Rubber bullets. Pepper balls. Tear gas. Intimidation. Obstruction. Reporters were removed from scenes they had every right to cover -- even while wearing visible press credentials. Their work is not just protected -- it's essential to democracy. Between June 6 and June 12, independent monitors recorded more than 40 violent incidents targeting journalists covering immigration raid protests in Los Angeles. At least 35 were committed by law enforcement. This is not just misconduct. It's a direct attack on the First Amendment. Demand California Attorney General Rob Bonta seek a restraining order against law enforcement interference and investigate police violence against the press. ADD YOUR NAME Independent journalism allows the public to witness events as they happen -- especially during moments of protest, conflict, and political tension. When police harass, detain, or forcibly remove journalists from the scene, they are silencing that witness -- and weakening democracy itself. The threat is real -- and it's happening in plain sight. Footage shows CNN's Jason Carroll being led away by police in the midst of reporting live on air. Returning to the mic, he reports, "I am being detained." An officer can be heard offscreen saying, "We're letting you go. You can't come back. If you come back, you will be arrested." That's not just intimidation. That's a warning aimed at every journalist in the country. We cannot allow fear to replace fact. We cannot allow law enforcement to decide what the public gets to see. A free press is not a luxury -- it is a cornerstone of democracy. We must take back press freedom and restore the right to report without harassment, obstruction, or violence. Tell Attorney General Bonta to defend the First Amendment's freedom of the press -- and protect the public's right to know. Thank you for standing up for a free press, a free people, and a true democracy. -Rick Rick Weiland TakeItBack.Org Fund the Fight Paid for in part by TakeItBack.Org. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Contributions to TakeItBack.Org are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions to TakeItBack.Org support its many efforts nationwide and any focus is at TakeItBack.Org's sole discretion. Contributions will not necessarily be used to support activity in any one state or specific campaign. All content © 2023 TakeItBack.Org, All Rights Reserved P.O. Box 2017, Sioux Falls, SD 57101 (605) 274 8706 Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from TakeItBack.Org, please click here.