Australian PM Furious After ‘Clearly Identified’ Journalist Shot by Rubber Bullet in LA: ‘Horrific’
Australian Prime Minister ” lashed out at Los Angeles law enforcement after a journalist was struck by a rubber bullet while covering protests in the city, adding that the reporter was “clearly identified as media.”
Nine Network correspondent Lauren Tomasi was hit on-air while reporting on violent protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration raids. The shocking footage appeared to show an officer aiming at Tomasi and her crew before firing.
“We don’t find it acceptable that it occurred,” Albanese said at the National Press Club, confirming he had raised the incident directly with the Trump administration.
The prime minister, who spoke with Tomasi after the attack, described her as “pretty resilient” but emphasized that her press credentials were unmistakable.
Albanese said: “That footage was horrific. That was the footage of an Australian journalist doing what journalists do at their very best, at their very best, which is to go into an environment that’s not comfortable, but where in LA it is not unreasonable to think that she would not have been targeted with a rubber bullet.”
He continued: “It is not unreasonable to think that she could go about her coverage clearly, as people can see the footage, clearly identified as media.”
Nine Network CEO Matt Stanton confirmed authorities were investigating the incident and reflected on the widespread reaction to the clip, which went viral: “The video footage captured by our team on Sunday showing a projectile fired from a police officer’s weapon was shocking and raised concerns from around the world, with valid questions around what could in any way have justified the actions taken by the police officer.”
“This is why a formal investigation is so important. It is important to find out what happened and why,” he added. “I plan to write to the LAPD Commissioner offering our cooperation with the investigation.”
ICE raids that took place across LA on Friday ignited fury in the city as demonstrations gave way to running battles with police on the streets. Trump ordered the deployment of National Guard troops on Saturday, followed by hundreds of Marines on Monday.
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