Katie G. Nelson, a freelance journalist, was covering the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis when her colleague Mike Shum was struck by two projectiles launched by law enforcement. Though the journalist was not seriously injured, the attack left Mike with bruising on his foot. Despite the injuries and direct police assaults on journalists, both Nelson and Mike persisted with their coverage of the demonstrations. CFWIJ is utterly dismayed by the hostile treatment journalists must endure while performing their job.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is concerned about the treatment of women journalists during the ongoing protests in Beirut. We are monitoring the situation on the ground and online.

Venezuela’s recent election results have led to chaos and violence. Protesters supporting both Juan Guaidó, the president of the National Assembly, and the “re-elected” President Nicolás Maduro are part of the clashes.

Olivera Lakic was approached by an unidentified man outside her home in the capital, Podgorica. She was seriously injured after being shot in her right leg. The man who attacked her immediately ran away as police teams began their search. Lakic was taken to the hospital, where she is reportedly out of danger. CFWIJ condemns the attempted murder of Olivera Lakic. We consider this assault to be a desperate bid to silence the journalist. We wish her a quick recovery and offer her our full support.

Nisso Rasulo, a correspondent for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was attacked after performing one of her assignments. Nisso was part of a team that conducted a sting operation in a mobile market that sells second-hand and stolen phones. On the way out of the market, she was chased in her taxi. Goons of the market followed her car and blocked their way from moving away. They tried to break the car windows hitting on glass with belts. The attackers asked her and the cameraman to come out as they had recording proofs of what was going on in the mobile market in Dushanbe. The thugs only stopped after police intervention. CFWIJ condemns the violent attack on Nisso and her team. We demand that police apprehend those behind attacking her. No journalist should suffer such harassment while performing their duty.