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August 19, 2025 – USA –
A lawsuit was filed against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), alleging the deployment of excessive force against protesters and journalists during immigration-related protests in Los Angeles. The suit, spearheaded by organizations like the ACLU of Southern California and the Los Angeles Press Club, accuses DHS agents of targeting peaceful demonstrators with rubber bullets, pepper balls, tear gas, and flash‑bang grenades, often without warning—even when journalists clearly displayed press credentials.
Journalists were notably among the casualties: at least 20 to 27 media professionals reportedly suffered injuries from less-lethal munitions, including sponge rounds, rubber bullets, and projectiles to the head and chest. Despite their visible identification as press, individuals from major outlets such as CalMatters, CNN, and international news teams were struck, some seriously enough to require hospitalization or surgery.
The legal complaint contends that DHS’s tactics suppressed First Amendment freedoms of both press and protesters alike and that such aggressive, indiscriminate use of force serves to intimidate individuals from exercising their constitutional rights. The plaintiffs are seeking injunctive relief, including a restraining order to bar DHS agents from using force except in response to specific, clear threats and from targeting journalists.
DHS officials, while defending their mission to restore “law and order,” stressed that peaceful speech does not excuse interference with law enforcement and advised journalists to exercise caution during protests.
Following mounting reports of press injuries, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order in California, effectively banning the LAPD from using less-lethal weapons (like rubber bullets and chemical irritants) against journalists covering protests and ensuring they are not obstructed when not posing a threat .
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