United States: CFWIJ Condemns The Assault Against Journalist Alissa Azar
Update, August 12, 2024Location: United States
Date: September 6, 2021
Independent journalist Alissa Azar was assaulted and maced by a group of far-right protestors, the Proud Boys. A far-left group called Antifa had organized a demonstration at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia. A confrontation occurred at the protest when the Proud Boys arrived. Alissa was on the scene to cover the demonstration when she was attacked by more than 50 members of the Proud Boys. They assaulted her and shoved her to the ground. The CFWIJ demands law enforcement apprehend the assailants involved in the attack. The CFWIJ stands in solidarity with the journalist during this distressing time.
The Portland-based journalist is known for her ground reporting on militia groups in the Pacific Northwest region. On September 5, 2021 she was covering the demonstration in Olympia, Washington, staged by a far-left organization that turned violent. At one point, Alissa heard a Proud Boys member yelling, "There's Alissa!" before they came after her.
Alissa mentioned in her tweet that she ran as fast as she could, but they caught her, pulled her hair, and shoved her to the ground. The far-right group members also maced Alissa, leaving her struggling to breathe. The journalist also shared a video where she can be heard screaming, "Get off of me". Fortunately, onlookers rescued Alissa and dragged her into a bar to keep her safe. It is not clear what started the scuffle.
On August 12, 2024, Alissa Azar faced trial in Clackamas County, Oregon over an incident involving an alleged female Proud Boy protester on June 18, 2021. Azar is being accused of using mace against the woman. Speaking to CFWIJ, Azar’s lawyer says the journalist acted in self-defense when she was being attacked by Proud Boy members. A male Proud Boy member who allegedly attacked Azar is facing charges related to this assault in separate proceedings. In court, Azar told the prosecutor in court that she “unequivocally does not condone violence.” The trial is ongoing.
Hiding in a bar in Olympia. I turned a corner to 50+ proud boys who said there’s Alissa and ran on me completely alone. I ran as fast as I could. They caught me and pulled my hair and shoved me to the ground then bear maced me. People af the bad pull me in hiding here now.
— alissa azar (@AlissaAzar) September 4, 2021
The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands an immediate investigation into the aggressors behind the attack on Azar in September, and a fair trial related to the allegations in June 2021. It is deplorable to attack a woman journalist who is on the ground to report the situation to the public. We call on law enforcement authorities to identify the attackers and hold them responsible for their actions.
This is the moment I was attacked. You can’t see actually it happen but you can hear me screaming for them to get off of me as they celebrate my assault and encourage more. evac’d & out safely. I don’t wanna recap at the moment so I’ll update later. https://t.co/0c6bWzcm0J
— alissa azar (@AlissaAzar) September 5, 2021
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
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