Many journalists alleged that the police blocked them from covering a protest over the accidental shooting of black motorist, Daunte Wright in Minneapolis on Saturday. This comes hours after a judge ordered a temporary restraining order against Minnesota police, reserving a journalist’s right to report.
About 500 people gathered in front of a police station in Brooklyn Center on Friday. The station was surrounded by a chain-link fence. This marked the sixth consecutive night of protests since Wright was shot by Kim Potter, a 26-year police veteran. She resigned from the force after the shooting.
US District Judge Wilhelmina Wright banned the police from “arresting, threatening to arrest, or using physical force… against any person whom they know or reasonably should know is a Journalist.”
The order was issued after several journalists along with a union representing them filed a complaint against the police for stopping them.
The order said, “Such persons shall not be required to disperse following the issuance of an order to disperse, and such persons shall not be subject to arrest for not dispersing.” Unless they believe the person has committed a crime, reported AFP.
Also Read: Second night of unrest in Minneapolis after police kill Black motorist
Right before a 10.00 pm curfew on Friday, police ordered the crowd to disperse using loudspeakers following which dozens of officers circled the protestors in riot gear. They used pepper spray on several journalists even after they categorically identified themselves as members of the media, reported AFP.
They forbade the journalists from staying in the holding pen set up by police and cover the arrests of about 100 protestors.
However, according to the order signed earlier, the police were banned from using any chemical agents like pepper spray, riot batons, flash-bang grenades, nonlethal projectiles, and not allowed to seize their equipment.
The order said, “The potential harm arising from suppressing press coverage of the protests is great and the public interest favours protecting these First Amendment principles.”
Also Read: Joe Biden says Minnesota police shooting ‘tragic’ but violent protests not justified
According to advocacy group US Press Freedom Tracker, a minimum of seven journalists reported getting attacked or targeted by the police. Three journalists were even detained or arrested for attempting to cover the Brooklyn Center demonstrations.
American state Minnesota is still reeling from multiple incidences of shootings and has witnessed citizens take part in many protests over the past couple of months. The unrest was triggered following the death of African-American George Floyd.
Last year, Derek Chauvin pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck until he died following an argument. His trial is currently ongoing and closing arguments are expected to be given on Monday.
