Freelance photojournalist grabbed by officer at LA protest

A freelance photojournalist was physically restrained by a police officer while covering a “No Kings” protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on Oct. 18, 2025.

The photographer — who has previously asked not to be named due to fear of legal trouble when traveling abroad — did not respond to a U.S. Press Freedom Tracker request for comment. Another journalist who filmed the incident confirmed that he was the individual involved.

According to the reporter who witnessed the assault, the photographer was clearly identifiable as press, wearing visible credentials and carrying his camera, when a Los Angeles Police Department officer grabbed him.

In a video the journalist shared with the Tracker, an officer can be seen seizing the photographer and appearing to try to tackle him.

The journalist said she and the photojournalist later tried to alert an LAPD public information officer about what had happened, but were told to go to another area to find one.

The LAPD said in a statement that it is investigating all use-of-force incidents from Oct. 18 and could not comment on active investigations.

The LAPD’s actions at the rally, one of thousands nationwide that day voicing opposition to the Trump administration, appeared to violate a state law and preliminary injunction prohibiting officers from using force against members of the press.