LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is facing a new complaint alleging contempt of court, following reports that officers assaulted and detained journalists covering immigration protests in downtown Los Angeles on August 8. The complaint, filed by the Los Angeles Press Club and investigative reporting network Status Coup, asserts that the LAPD directly violated a federal temporary restraining order (TRO) designed to protect journalists at public demonstrations. This development adds a significant chapter to the ongoing legal battles concerning press freedom and police conduct in the city.
Assaults Amidst Immigration Protests
The incident central to the new complaint occurred on August 8 outside an immigration detention facility in downtown Los Angeles. According to accounts, LAPD officers formed a skirmish line and advanced on peaceful protestors. Journalists present, despite clearly displaying press identification and verbally announcing their role, were reportedly shoved to the ground and struck with batons. The complaint specifies that officers allegedly failed to declare an unlawful assembly or issue a dispersal order before moving against the crowd, making no provisions for members of the press.
Among those reportedly injured was Sean Beckner-Carmitchel, an L.A. Press Club member, who sustained significant bruising to his ribs, indicating a probable fracture after being repeatedly jabbed by a baton. Status Coup journalist Tina Berg suffered a deep cut to her hand and a split finger from a baton strike, while photojournalist Nicholas Stern was reportedly struck in the face. Several journalists, including Nate Gowdy and Carrie Shreck, were allegedly detained and zip-tied for over an hour, with two transported to a downtown jail before their release. These actions unfolded less than a month after the federal court order was issued.
The Precedent-Setting Temporary Restraining Order
This new complaint comes just weeks after U.S. District Judge Hernán D. Vera issued a crucial temporary restraining order against the LAPD on July 14, 2025, following an initial lawsuit filed on June 16 by the Los Angeles Press Club and Status Coup. That initial suit highlighted a long history of alleged excessive force against journalists, documenting over 80 incidents between June 6 and July 10, 2025, where reporters covering immigration protests faced violence, including being shot with less-lethal munitions and unlawfully detained.
The July TRO explicitly prohibited the LAPD from “intentionally assaulting, interfering with, or obstructing any journalist” reporting at a protest, and from “citing, detaining, or arresting a journalist who is in a closed area for failure to disperse.” It further barred officers from using less-lethal munitions, such as rubber bullets and tear gas, against journalists who were not posing an imminent threat. Judge Vera’s ruling underscored the First Amendment protection for newsgathering, stating that evidence suggested LAPD officers had, on occasions, specifically targeted identifiable members of the press.
Demands for Contempt and Stricter Protections
The plaintiffs are now demanding that the City of Los Angeles be held in contempt of court for these alleged violations. Their legal motion, filed on August 13, emphasizes the department’s “blatant disregard for the First Amendment” and the existing court order. Attorney Carol Sobel, representing the plaintiffs, stated that they have asked the judge to set a hearing on the contempt motion and further restrict the LAPD’s use of force, including batons, against journalists.
This case is a featured element in the ongoing public discourse surrounding police accountability and press rights. While the LAPD typically refrains from commenting on ongoing litigation, Police Chief Jim McDonnell had previously stated that the department trains officers to identify and respect working journalists during protests. However, critics argue that the August 8 events demonstrate a continued pattern of misconduct that demands stronger judicial intervention.
Broader Implications for Press Freedom
The situation in Los Angeles highlights a national conversation about the safety and constitutional rights of journalists covering protests. Legal experts and press advocacy groups argue that law enforcement agencies often fail to adhere to state and federal regulations designed to protect the media. Past instances, such as the City of Los Angeles tentatively agreeing to pay $500,000 to two Knock LA journalists arrested at a 2021 protest, demonstrate a history of costly settlements related to alleged violations of journalists’ rights.
The current contempt motion seeks to not only enforce the existing TRO but also expand its scope, ensuring that law enforcement cannot circumvent its intent by using different methods of force or detention against accredited press. The outcome of this legal challenge in Los Angeles will set a significant precedent for how law enforcement interacts with the media at protests across the country, reinforcing the vital role of a free press in a democratic society.
