Location: United States, Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: June 3, 2020

Ellen Schmidt, a staff photographer at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and Bridget Bennett, a freelance photojournalist, were following the demonstrations on May 29 in Las Vegas when arrested along with 80 protesters.

They were among dozens of people taken into custody by Metro Police officers who showed up in full force to patrol what began as a mostly peaceful protest. Both Schmidt and Bennett who were initially charged with misdemeanor were later released on bail on May 30. 

Demonstrations sparked across the US after murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, in the pursuit of justice. With numerous police forces deployed to protest sites, journalists face constant threat of violence, arrest and censorship. Hundreds of journalists have reported to have faced attempts at censorship, verbal attacks, blatant threats and police violence. Hundreds of journalists have been arrested while on duty and black journalists who take the ongoing civil unrest very personally are especially targeted. CFWIJ follows the events closely with great concern.

CFWIJ urges authorities to stop using legal mechanisms as a way to censor press and intimidate journalists.

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.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.