UNITED STATES – Nagpapagaling sa ospital ang isang photographer mula sa Agence France-Presse matapos itong barilin sa mukha ng isang rubber bullet ng mga awtoridad sa standoff sa mga nagpoprotesta sa downtown Los Angeles.
Kino-cover ng photographer ang demonstrasyon noong Sabado, Hunyo 14, na bahagi ng mga rally sa buong bansa laban kay US President Donald Trump.
Dalawang beses itong tinamaan ng rubber bullets na ipinaputok ng mga awtoridad para itaboy ang mga nagpoprotesta.
“I was covering the protest … approximately 90 feet away from the police when I received the impact of a rubber bullet in my face and another one in my right arm,” salaysay ng photographer.
Aniya, maayos siyang nagpakilala bilang journalist.
“I was working with two cameras, a helmet with AFP stickers on it and also, I had a big patch on my chest that said ‘Press,’” dagdag pa.
Hindi naman maalala ng Los Angeles Police Department na nagpaputok sila sa photographer.
“Following the dispersal order, less-lethal munitions were used to clear the area of those who refused to comply and leave the area,” sinabi ng LAPD sa isang pahayag.
Sinusuri na anang Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department ang footage ng insidente at sinabing “it was not clear whether our personnel were involved.”
“The LASD does not condone any actions that intentionally target members of the press,” dagdag pa. RNT/JGC
