Police continue to harass reporters who cover homeless encampment sweeps
Journalism is not a crime.
This is a message we’ve had to repeat too many times as reporters covering homeless encampment sweeps across California have repeatedly been harassed and threatened with arrest.
L.A. Taco investigative journalist Lexis-Olivier Ray was arrested by LAPD officers Oct. 17 while covering the sweep of a homeless encampment. Ray was held for 45 minutes in the police car, then released without charge. Photo by Adam Smith/LA Community Action NetworkIn early September, FAC led a coalition of more than 20 press rights and civil liberties organizations to demand California officials respect the role of the press, as “it is in the public’s interest for the press to be able to observe, document and disseminate information on activities as important as the sweeps of homeless encampments, an issue of compelling concern.” We also joined ACLU of Southern California in protesting the Los Angeles Police Department’s treatment of journalist Lexis Olivier-Ray.
Unfortunately, public officials did not get the message. Two journalists — Ray in L.A. and Yesica Prado in Oakland — were handcuffed and put in police cars, halting their reporting (and Prado is facing potential charges).
Others, including a veteran Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, have reported being blocked from being able to cover these newsworthy activities.
These barriers to public streets and sidewalks are unacceptable. Journalists must be able to do their jobs while cleanup crews do theirs.
