Four student journalists from the Daily Bruin, the student newspaper at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), were subject to a violent attack by counterprotesters amid a demonstration that spiraled out of control on campus. The incident occurred shortly before 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, as reported by the Daily Bruin, and marks a disturbing escalation in hostilities on campus grounds.
Catherine Hamilton, the Daily Bruin news editor, was among the journalists targeted by pro-Israel counterprotesters during the encounter. According to her account, one of the assailants was recognizable as an individual who had previously subjected her to verbal harassment and taken photographs of her press badge. The same person purportedly directed the mob to encircle the journalists, before they were pepper-sprayed, flashed with lights, and subjected to chants of Hamilton’s name.
In her attempt to escape, Hamilton recounted being punched repeatedly in the chest and upper abdomen, while another student journalist was thrown to the ground and sustained beating and kicking for nearly a minute. Shaanth Kodialam, another student journalist present during the assault, described the difficulty in covering the event. Kodialam’s accounts highlight the unexpected intensity of the aggression faced by the journalists, who had prepared for harassment but not direct assault.
This assault is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of increasing aggression against journalists, which has been escalating for the past two decades. Steve Wasserman, a notable publisher, noted the change in perception of the press, which once held a more neutral role in protests. Now, an increasing distrust of the media has led to normalized hostility towards journalists.
Clayton Weimers, the executive director of Reporters Without Borders USA, compared the recent threats against journalists to those experienced during the summer of 2020, following the murder of George Floyd. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker had documented a record number of arrests and attacks against the press during that period.
University officials and external organizations have been quick to call for thorough investigations and protective measures. Katherine Jacobsen of the Committee to Protect Journalists emphasized the imperative for journalists to perform their duties without the fear of assault. Michael V. Drake, President of the University of California system, announced an independent review of the university’s actions and law enforcement’s response to the violence. UCLA Chancellor Gene Block extended sympathy to the injured and assured the university would conduct a thorough investigation.
The students involved in the coverage have expressed their commitment to continue reporting on the unrest. Hamilton, for example, has been covering the reaction to the Israel-Hamas war and despite her injuries, plans to persist with her work.
Relevant articles:
– Four UCLA student journalists attacked by pro-Israel counterprotesters on campus, latimes.com, 05/02/2024
– After violent night at UCLA, classes cancelled, UC president launches investigation into response, Los Angeles Times, 05/02/2024
– Officials call for investigation into UCLA violence; Columbia goes remote for rest of semester, NBC News, 05/02/2024
– UC’s president had a plan to deescalate protests. How did we get a night of violence at UCLA?, CalMatters, 05/02/2024
– Police In Riot Gear And Firing Flash Bangs Move Into UCLA Encampment To Clear Protesters, LAist, 05/02/2024