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April 13, 2026 – USA –
U.S. federal authorities have launched an investigation into the alleged assault of a journalist during an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis, an incident that has intensified concerns about press safety amid escalating tensions surrounding immigration enforcement operations. The case is being reviewed by the FBI and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division following reports that the journalist was attacked while covering demonstrations outside the Whipple Federal Building.
The journalist, identified in reports as independent media contributor Savanah Hernandez, stated that she was physically assaulted by multiple individuals while filming the protest. She described being surrounded and attacked by demonstrators, highlighting the risks faced by reporters covering politically charged events.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that several arrests were made in connection with the incident. According to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, at least four individuals were taken into custody, with three linked to the alleged assault on both a journalist and a deputy, and another arrested for obstruction involving force.
Federal officials have indicated that the investigation will examine whether the assault constitutes a violation of civil rights protections, particularly in relation to the journalist’s role in documenting a matter of public interest. The involvement of the FBI signals the seriousness with which authorities are treating the incident, especially given the broader context of rising tensions between protesters and law enforcement.
The protest itself forms part of a wider wave of demonstrations across the United States opposing immigration enforcement policies, particularly actions carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These protests have been marked by large turnout and, in some instances, confrontations between demonstrators, journalists, and security personnel.
The incident has also drawn attention to a pattern of risks faced by journalists covering protests in Minneapolis in recent months, where multiple cases of harassment, physical assault, and interference have been documented. Press freedom observers warn that such incidents may deter reporting from volatile public demonstrations and limit independent coverage of politically sensitive events.
Authorities have not yet announced formal charges tied directly to the journalist’s claims, and the investigation remains ongoing. The outcome of the federal probe is expected to clarify whether the assault will be prosecuted as a civil rights violation, a development that could carry broader implications for the protection of journalists covering protests in the United States.
Reference –
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/turning-point-journalist-says-she-221618542.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minneapolis-anti-ice-protest-journalist-assault-fbi/
