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June 20, 2025 – USA –
Independent journalists Cameron Higby and Brandi Kruse were violently assaulted while covering an anti-immigration enforcement protest in Seattle on June 14, 2025. The attack, which occurred during demonstrations against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has ignited outrage and renewed debate over media bias and protest coverage.
According to their accounts, both journalists were targeted by far-left agitators while documenting events on the ground. Cameron Higby, who was filming a protest near downtown Seattle, was allegedly choked, punched in the face while on the ground, and kicked by masked individuals—some reportedly wearing sap gloves lined with metal. He suffered a concussion and facial injuries, requiring emergency treatment.
In a separate incident, the same night, Brandi Kruse, a former Fox affiliate reporter, was covering a protest in Tukwila when demonstrators surrounded her. They allegedly sprayed her with insecticide and prevented her from filming. One of her team members, an undercover veteran, was reportedly beaten and rescued only after a bystander intervened.
Both journalists accused the mainstream media—particularly The Seattle Times—of omitting or downplaying the violence. Kruse criticized their coverage, saying it portrayed the protest as entirely peaceful while ignoring their attacks. “We have to stop pretending this kind of behavior is justified,” she stated. Higby added that official narratives from city leaders referred to the night as peaceful, despite his documented injuries.
The Seattle and Tukwila police departments have confirmed receiving reports and are investigating the incidents. No arrests have been made at the time of reporting.
The attacks and the journalists’ reaction have sparked wider conversations around selective media narratives, protest violence, and the treatment of independent journalists. Some press freedom advocates warn that political bias in coverage undermines public trust, while others call for protections for all journalists, regardless of platform or ideology.
As the investigations continue, the incident underscores growing tensions between ideological protesters, independent media, and mainstream outlets over how civil unrest is portrayed and who is protected while reporting from the frontlines.
Reference –
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6374585085112
Seattle journalist attacked during immigration protest in Washington – Fox News
