[Text/Observer Network, Xiong Chaoyi] In recent days, after law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles, California carried out raids targeting illegal immigrants and local residents held large-scale protest activities, the situation in the area became increasingly chaotic and gradually evolved into a riot. On June 8th local time, in the escalating conflicts, several journalists from Australia, China, and the UK who were on-site in Los Angeles were hit by bullets.

According to a report by Bloomberg on June 10th, for the incident where Lauren Tomasi, an American journalist for Australia's Nine Network News (9News), was hit in the leg by a rubber bullet, Australian Prime Minister Albanese condemned it strongly on the same day and revealed that his government had raised this issue with the Trump administration. "This video is terrifying," he said while speaking at the "National Press Club" in Canberra: "We have raised these issues with the U.S. government. We believe this is unacceptable, and we believe the role of the media is particularly important."

Bloomberg mentioned that just a few days later, Albanese will set off for Canada to attend the G7 Leaders' Summit being held there as an invited non-G7 member leader, where he may meet President Trump face-to-face for the first time.

On June 10th, Australian Prime Minister Albanese gave a speech. The Guardian (UK)

It was reported that Albanese said that he had already spoken with the journalist Tomasi, who is currently "doing well."

When asked whether he thought Tomasi was deliberately targeted due to her journalist identity, Albanese stated that she was "clearly identified" as a journalist, adding that "there is no doubt about this."

In early May, six months after Trump was re-elected as U.S. president, Albanese was re-elected as Australia's prime minister with overwhelming support.

Bloomberg noted that although Albanese and Trump had previously spoken on the phone and their conversation seemed to have opened a good start for bilateral relations between Australia and the U.S., negotiations over tariff exemptions for Australian steel and aluminum products are expected to test the relationship between these two leaders.

Albanese clearly stated that regarding issues of concern to the Trump administration—such as Australia limiting the influence of major American social media giants in Australia and imposing restrictions on American meat imports—he has no intention of making significant concessions.

On June 8th local time, personnel from the U.S. National Guard deployed in Los Angeles clashed with local protesters, and law enforcement officers began firing rubber bullets and tear gas at the protesters.

At that moment, Lauren Tomasi, a reporter from 9News, was reporting live on the detailed situation of the conflict between U.S. law enforcement officers and protesters. She pointed at the U.S. police on the roadside and said: "Los Angeles police are riding horses to disperse the crowd, firing rubber bullets at civilians, and driving the protesters out of downtown Los Angeles."

A few seconds later, gunshots could be heard on site, and Tomasi’s leg was hit by a rubber bullet. She screamed in pain, and the 9News reporting team quickly retreated. The on-site video showed that the bullet seemed to have been fired at close range by an American police officer.

Australian 9News reporter Lauren Tomasi was hit by a rubber bullet at the riot scene. Video screenshot

9News then issued a statement saying: "Lauren Tomasi was hit by a rubber bullet; she and the photographer are safe, and they will continue to report on these events. This incident clearly reflects the dangers journalists may face when reporting at the forefront of protests, highlighting their role in providing important information."

In a post on the X platform, 9News stated that the Los Angeles police are conducting a "formal investigation" into this incident.

As the situation escalated, Chinese journalists were also hit during the riots. According to a report by Xinhua News Agency on June 9th, some protesters threw water bottles and stones at the National Guard personnel, and others picked up tear gas canisters and threw them back. A reporter from Xinhua News Agency was hit in the arm by a tear gas canister, and a photography reporter sustained red and swollen injuries on the left leg from a rubber bullet.

The previous day, The Guardian (UK) also reported that Nick Stern, a British news photographer based in Los Angeles, was hit by a non-lethal weapon on the evening of June 7th, sustaining leg injuries and receiving treatment. Stern believed that he was likely hit by a rubber bullet fired by American police, saying, "It hurt so much that I thought they might be firing live rounds."

U.S. Northern Command announced on June 9th local time that approximately 700 marines would be "mobilized" to work with around 2,100 National Guardsmen to assist in protecting federal personnel and property in the Los Angeles area. The last time the U.S. government invoked the Insurrection Act to mobilize active-duty troops to quell domestic unrest was back in 1992.

Meanwhile, Trump expressed his support for arresting Democratic Governor Newsom of California. He also said that the protests in Los Angeles could lead to "rebellion," and if necessary, more National Guardsmen would be deployed to California. Newsom responded by saying that it was a day he hoped he would never see, with the U.S. President calling for the arrest of the current governor of the United States.

This article is an exclusive contribution from Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7514228230438765071/

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