United States: Shot by Police During 2020 Protests, Linda Tirado May Need Hospice Care
Tirado diagnosed with early-onset dementia following traumatic brain injury
Location: United States, Nashville
Date: June 14, 2024
Women Press Freedom expresses our deepest solidarity with Linda Tirado, a courageous photojournalist who was gravely injured by Minneapolis police while covering the George Floyd protests in 2020. Linda’s potential entry into hospice care this week, a direct result of the injuries she sustained, underscores the profound and lasting impact of police violence against journalists. The injury Linda sustained has not only ended her career but also drastically affected her quality of life. The resulting medical conditions, including dementia. Women Press Freedom calls for accountability and justice for Linda Tirado and all journalists who have been harmed while performing their duties. We condemn the actions of the Minneapolis Police Department and the broader systemic issues that allow such violence to occur without sufficient consequence. Linda’s story is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern of law enforcement targeting journalists, which threatens the very foundation of a free press.
Freelance photojournalist Linda Tirado, who was severely injured by Minneapolis police while covering the George Floyd protests in 2020, may have to enter hospice care due to the progressive deterioration of her health.
Tirado, now 42, was struck in the eye by a foam bullet fired by police on the night of May 29, 2020, while documenting protests over the murder of George Floyd. Despite wearing protective goggles and displaying her press credentials, she lost vision in her left eye, resulting in additional complications, including a traumatic brain injury and subsequent dementia.
"I was lining up a photo when I felt my face explode," Tirado recounted in an op-ed shortly after the incident. The injury permanently altered her life, forcing her to grapple with severe health issues and hindering her ability to work. Tirado's condition had worsened to the point where she is now receiving palliative care.
Tirado sued the Minneapolis Police Department and, in 2022, received a $600,000 settlement. However, much of this money was used to cover mounting medical expenses. Tirado estimated her lifetime medical costs to be around $2.5 million.
In a recent post on her Substack, Tirado wrote about "getting ready to die," expressing a mixture of peace and fear. She has also used her social media platforms to encourage supporters to channel their energy into activism, urging them to attend local council meetings and continue the fight against injustice.
Tirado’s career as a journalist began in 2013 with a viral online post addressing the struggles of poverty. Her book, "Hand-to-Mouth: Living in Bootstrap America," published in 2014, further established her as a powerful voice on social justice issues. Following the police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014, she spent weeks covering the civil unrest, cementing her role as a reporter on the front lines of America’s most volatile protests.
When George Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020, Tirado felt compelled to document the ensuing protests despite the risks. "There’s basically a group of us who kind of travel around covering civil unrest," she said. "That’s our beat." Despite the dangers, Tirado was committed to her vocation, driven by a sense of duty to witness and report on civil conflicts.
On the night of her injury, Tirado was prepared with impact-resistant goggles and a respirator. Yet, the chaos and police response led to her being struck by a projectile. The last photos she took before the injury show a Minneapolis police officer seemingly aiming directly at her. "What did I do wrong?" she wondered in the aftermath.
Women Press Freedom stands in unwavering solidarity with Linda Tirado. The police violence directed at her has not only terminated her professional career but has also severely diminished her quality of life, leading to debilitating conditions, including dementia. We demand accountability and justice for Tirado and all journalists who have been harmed while performing their essential duties. Tirado’s experience is not an isolated case but part of a disturbing trend where law enforcement targets journalists, threatening the very essence of a free press.
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