• Press groups are suing LAPD for alleged mistreatment of journalists during protests.
• Lawsuit claims police used excessive force against reporters covering immigration-related demonstrations.
• Attorneys argue that LAPD violated both First Amendment rights and California state law.
• The action aims to hold law enforcement accountable and protect journalistic rights.
• The situation has drawn attention to ongoing tensions between police and reporters in Los Angeles.

A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) by the Los Angeles Press Club and Status Coup, emphasizing the alleged "continuing abuse" of journalists during protests against President Trump's immigration policies. The complaint seeks to ensure that the LAPD respects constitutional rights while journalists cover such protests. "Our democracy depends on an informed public. When press rights are threatened, it’s the public that suffers,” stated Carol Sobel, lead counsel for the plaintiffs, highlighting the importance of press freedom amidst rising tensions, according to The Hill.

The lawsuit alleges that LAPD officers have engaged in excessive force against journalists reporting on the demonstrations, which include incidents where journalists were shot with "less-lethal munitions," tear-gassed, and blocked from accessing areas they were entitled to report from. This conduct, the lawsuit argues, is in direct violation of both the First Amendment and California state laws, including provisions that explicitly protect journalists covering civil unrest. Carol Sobel noted, “You have people holding up their press credentials saying, ‘I’m press,’ and they still got shot,” according to Los Angeles Times and HuffPost.

The recent lawsuit reiterates concerns raised during the widespread protests following George Floyd's death, wherein similar allegations of police misconduct against journalists were highlighted. Previous legal actions have resulted in court-imposed restrictions on the LAPD's use of certain crowd control munitions, yet reports indicate that these measures are being flouted. Notably, the complaint included specific instances where law enforcement allegedly targeted journalists, such as when an Australian reporter was shot while bearing press credentials, according to SFGate.

The LAPD has not publicly responded to the lawsuit but has previously defended its use of force in managing crowds, stating it is necessary to restore order in challenging situations. Despite this, the lawsuits continue to highlight significant injuries sustained by both reporters and protesters, spurring calls for accountability and reform. The city has previously faced substantial financial settlements over related cases, raising questions about the long-term implications of its current crowd control strategies, as detailed in reports from Los Angeles Times and HuffPost.