[Text/Watchman Network Chen Sijia] Recently, agencies such as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have carried out raids targeting illegal immigrants, leading to large-scale protests in Los Angeles, California. On June 8 local time, members of the U.S. National Guard deployed in Los Angeles clashed with protesters, and law enforcement began firing rubber bullets and tear gas at the protesters.

In the escalating conflict, several journalists from Australia, China, and the UK who were on the scene in Los Angeles were hit. According to a report by Australia's Nine News Channel on September 9, the leg of the channel's American correspondent, Lauren Tomasi, was hit by a rubber bullet. She felt pain but was not injured.

At the time, Tomasi was reporting live on the details of the conflict between U.S. law enforcement officers and protesters, pointing to the U.S. police on the side of the road and saying, "Los Angeles police are driving away on horseback, firing rubber bullets at civilians, and expelling protesters from downtown Los Angeles."

A few seconds later, gunshots rang out on the scene, and Tomasi's leg was hit by a rubber bullet. She screamed in pain, and the Nine News reporting team quickly withdrew. The on-site video shows that the bullet seems to have been fired at close range by an American police officer.

Nine News then issued a statement saying, "Lauren Tomasi was hit by a rubber bullet. She and the cameraman are safe, and they will continue to report on these events. This incident clearly reflects the dangers faced by journalists when reporting on the front lines of protests and highlights their role in providing important information."

Australian Nine News reporter Lauren Tomasi was hit by a rubber bullet at the riot site - Video screenshot

As the situation escalated, Chinese journalists were also hit during the riots. According to a report by Xinhua News Agency on September 9, 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 by a tear gas canister on the arm, and the photographer had a swollen bruise on the left leg from being hit by a rubber bullet.

The previous day, The Guardian reported that British news photographer Nick Stern was hit by a non-lethal weapon on the evening of July 7, injuring his leg and receiving treatment. Stern believed that he was likely hit by a rubber bullet fired by the U.S. police, "It hurt so much that I thought they might be firing real bullets."

Local time on June 6, ICE and other federal agencies deployed large numbers of law enforcement officers in multiple locations including Los Angeles to carry out enforcement actions against illegal immigrants, triggering street confrontations, chaos, and conflicts. Protesters held demonstrations in Los Angeles and clashed with local police.

On July 7 local time, White House press secretary Lett issued a statement saying that Trump has signed a memorandum to deploy 2000 National Guard personnel to Los Angeles. Defense Secretary Hagersthe soon after stated that if violence continues, active-duty Marines will also be mobilized.

According to NBC News, after Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard, about 300 National Guard personnel entered Los Angeles. However, this move drew criticism from California Governor Newsom, who accused Trump of "creating a crisis rather than meeting actual needs" and said that Trump was trying to use "chaos" to justify increased repression.

During the riots on the evening of August 8, protesters who opposed Trump's immigration policies clashed with the National Guard in front of the federal law enforcement agency in downtown Los Angeles. National Guard personnel fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the protesters. Protesters also blocked traffic on Highway 101 and set multiple cars on fire.

As of the evening of August 8 local time, many protesters had left the scene. The Los Angeles Police Department said that at least 56 protesters had been arrested in downtown Los Angeles. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell called on the American public to trust the police, stating that the Los Angeles Police Department has no authority to stop enforcement actions by agencies such as ICE, but will not participate in related actions.

NBC reported that law enforcement agencies upgraded the ban on illegal gatherings on the evening of August 8, expanding it to the entire downtown Los Angeles area. This means that, except for a few exceptions, anyone, including media personnel, entering this area will be arrested. The Los Angeles Police Department said that law enforcement officers are taking action at several different locations to disperse the protesters.

On August 8, the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles issued a notice reminding Chinese citizens in the Los Angeles area to strengthen safety precautions. The notice said, "Enforcement actions are ongoing in many areas of Los Angeles. The Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles reminds Chinese citizens in the Los Angeles area to pay close attention to official announcements and media reports, enhance their awareness of safety, strengthen safety precautions, stay away from gathering places, crowded areas, or areas with poor security, and avoid traveling at night or alone."

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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7513879394478309951/

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