Police have violently clashed with journalists more than 100 times, and other members of the media have been arrested since last week as protests and riots continue in American cities following the killing of a black man by a white police officer in Minneapolis.
The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker said it is investigating more than 100 "press freedom violations" that have occurred over the last three days. The group said it has documented an average of 100-150 incidents per year over the last three years.
Another tweet from the group indicated that dozens of journalists covering the protests have been shot at and physically assaulted, mostly by police:
"More numbers from our tracking. From May 28-31 … At least 19 reporters arrested. … At least 36 journalists have reported being shot at by police with projectiles such as rubber bullets. 50% just in Minnesota. … At least 76 reported assaults (physical and shot at). 80% by police."
In one incident that took place Monday evening outside the White House, an Australian reporter was live on the air when police charged at what appeared to be peaceful protesters in order to clear the area before President Donald Trump walked through Lafayette Park. Both the reporter and her cameraman were struck and shoved to the ground by police carrying shields.
In other incidents, members of the media have been pepper sprayed, struck with rubber bullets, and exposed to tear gas. One journalist was hit in the eye with a tear gas canister and lost his eye. Another was shot in the eye with a pepper ball.
According to a reporter from Congressional Quarterly, a CNN cameramen was struck with a baton in Washington, D.C.
A reporter from German broadcaster DW and his cameraman were hit with rubber bullets and threatened with arrest in Minneapolis. The incident was documented on video.
Last week, a CNN crew was arrested while broadcasting live on a street in Minneapolis. They were released a short time later.
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