Portland Journalist Assaulted During Protest, Left with Black Eye

October 02, 2025 – USA – 

Journalist Katie Daviscourt, a reporter for The Post Millennial, says she was physically assaulted during a protest outside a federal immigration facility in Portland, Oregon, leaving her with a black eye and raising new concerns about violence against members of the press. According to Daviscourt, the incident occurred when a masked protester, whom she described as affiliated with “antifa,” struck her in the face with a metal flagpole as she covered the demonstration on the night of October 1, 2025.

Footage from the scene shows a chaotic environment where demonstrators clashed with federal agents and journalists attempting to document events. Daviscourt stated that after being hit, she attempted to pursue the individual responsible and sought assistance from nearby police officers, but no immediate action was taken. She later shared photos of her bruised eye and videos of the crowd on social media, calling the experience “a clear example of how lawlessness has taken over Portland.”

Local police confirmed that they are investigating the case. A spokesperson for the Portland Police Bureau said a “dialogue liaison officer” witnessed part of the altercation and attempted to stop the alleged assailant, who fled the scene. The investigation has since been transferred to the Major Crimes Unit, which is reviewing evidence to identify the attacker.

Appearing on Fox News, Daviscourt criticized city officials and law enforcement for failing to ensure journalists’ safety, arguing that Portland has become a hostile environment for reporters covering protests or immigration enforcement actions. She said that many journalists now wear protective gear or avoid certain areas altogether out of fear of assault or harassment.

The incident drew mixed reactions online—some sympathized with Daviscourt’s experience, while others questioned her framing of the protest. Still, press freedom advocates noted that regardless of political context, any act of violence against journalists undermines their right to safely document public events.

Daviscourt’s account underscores the growing danger of covering demonstrations in the United States, where hostility toward the press has increasingly escalated. For many reporters in volatile settings like Portland, the risk of assault, vandalism, or intimidation has become a disturbing new normal, threatening the very foundation of transparent reporting.

Reference – 

https://nypost.com/2025/10/02/us-news/journalists-black-eye-from-antifa-attack-in-portland/

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/fox-news-portland-journalist-black-eye-jesse-watters-b2838121.html