United States: Chicago Police Arrest Olga Fedorova for Covering Pro-Palestine Protests
Fedorova is one of three photojournalists detained overnight and currently facing bogus disorderly conduct charges
Location: United States, Illinois
Date: August 20, 2024
Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with photojournalist Olga Fedorova, who was among three journalists arrested and charged with disorderly conduct during a protest in front of the Israeli Consulate on the second day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Despite her press badge, the journalist was taken into custody by Chicago police after being ordered to disperse. They were detained overnight before being released. This marks Fedorova's second arrest in three months as documented by Women Press Freedom. We vehemently condemn the unjust detention of Fedorova and her peers as a blatant infringement on press freedom. We demand a public apology from Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling and urge the immediate dropping of charges against the journalists.
During the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on August 20, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois, photojournalist Olga Fedorova, along with her colleagues Josh Pacheco and Sinna Nasseri, were arrested while capturing the pro-Palestine protests outside the Israeli Consulate. They were held overnight, released, and charged with disorderly conduct.
Despite clearly identifying themselves as members of the press and displaying their credentials, Fedorova, Pacheco and Nasseri were met with unnecessary force from law enforcement.
“I did alert them that I was press. It was very visible that I had my press pass,” says Pacheco.
Pacheco, a seasoned professional with contributions to esteemed outlets like the New York Times and PBS, recounted the chaotic scene that unfolded during the protest. The journalists, including Sinna Nasseri, were taken into custody following a dispersal order issued by Chicago police, despite their compliance.
Fedorova was previously arrested on May 8, 2024, in New York City. Fedorova, along with Pacheco, faced aggression from the New York City Police Department while reporting on a pro-Palestine rally outside the Fashion Institute of Technology in midtown Manhattan.
During a daily press conference on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling acknowledged the three arrests and criticized the actions of journalists at the demonstration.
“The journalists were charged (…) for simply doing their jobs as reporters. We are disappointed that the City of Chicago chose to sweep the First Amendment under the rug with its heavy-handed tactics against working journalists,” says Steven Baron, the journalists’ attorney.
Women Press Freedom firmly supports photojournalist Fedorova and her colleagues. We denounce their unjust arrest as a clear violation of press freedom. We call for a formal apology from Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling and demand the dismissal of all charges against the three journalists. It is imperative that journalists are able to carry out their work without fear of unwarranted arrests and detentions. Law enforcement must safeguard press freedom and prioritize the safety of journalists, refraining from resorting to physical violence and arbitrary detentions.
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