What Happened
- Date & Location: On June 8, 2025, amidst large-scale protests in Downtown Los Angeles sparked by federal immigration raids and deployment of National Guard troops.news.sky.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15globalnews.ca+15
- The Incident: Lauren Tomasi, a 🇦🇺 correspondent for 9News US, was reporting live when police on horseback and in riot gear declared the area an “unlawful assembly.” Suddenly, an officer fired a rubber bullet that struck her in the leg.people.com+7globalnews.ca+7indiatimes.com+7
- She immediately acknowledged the pain but remained calm: “Yeah, I’m good.” Her crew and camera operator were unharmed.ctvnews.ca+12news.com.au+12globalnews.ca+12
⚠️ Context & Danger
- Escalating Tactics: LAPD used rubber bullets, tear gas, flash bangs, and horse patrols to clear crowds. Videos show confronting scenes like flaming autonomous vehicles, clashing crowds, and heavy federal military presence.
- Media at Risk: This incident highlights the growing danger to journalists covering volatile protests. British photographer Nick Stern was critically injured by a sponge bullet around the same time.news.com.au+13thesun.co.uk+13ctvnews.ca+13
🌐 Reactions & Fallout
- Australian Government & Media:
- Australians are outraged. Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young urged PM Albanese to demand an explanation from the U.S., calling the shooting “unacceptable.”indiatimes.com+6theguardian.com+69news.com.au+6news.com.au+1globalnews.ca+1
- The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade affirmed support for journalist safety.news.com.au+1globalnews.ca+1
- Political Tensions in the U.S.:
- President Trump authorized 2,000 National Guard troops (with 500 Marines on standby), drawing condemnation from Gov. Newsom and Mayor Bass as “purposefully inflammatory.”news.com.auindiatimes.com+4news.com.au+4news.com.au+4
- The deployment marked the first use of federal Guard forces in LA without state consent in decades.ctvnews.ca+12en.wikipedia.org+129news.com.au+12
🧭 Why It Matters
| Concern Area | Impact |
|---|---|
| Press Freedom | The incident underscores the vulnerability of press covering civil unrest. Calls for accountability are growing. |
| Federal Force Use | The unprecedented deployment of federal troops in LA without state approval is raising constitutional and jurisdictional concerns. |
| International Relations | Australia is pushing for diplomatic oversight as one of its citizens was injured covering U.S. protests—an unusual escalation between allies. |
For Your Information
Lauren Tomasi being struck by a rubber bullet on live air shines a spotlight on:
- Rising tensions and aggressive law enforcement tactics amid immigration-related unrest.
- The critical safety risks journalists face covering such events.
- A brewing international spat between Australia and the U.S.
