Australian Reporter Takes Rubber Bullet to the Arm During Live Broadcast in LA
You know how some news moments just stop you cold? This was one of them. Lauren Tomasi, an Aussie reporter for 7News, was doing her job—just standing there covering the anti-ICE protests in LA—when wham. A rubber bullet from LAPD officers smacked right into her. On live TV. And honestly? It’s got people screaming about press freedom all over again.
So What Actually Went Down?
“I’m Press!” Didn’t Matter
The footage is brutal. Tomasi’s mid-sentence when you see her flinch—then that sharp inhale of pain. Camera’s still rolling as she grabs her arm, yelling “I’m press!” before the feed cuts. Later, she’d call it “completely unprovoked.” Which, come on. She was holding a mic with a giant 7News logo on it. Not exactly blending in with the crowd.
The Bystander Effect (Angry Edition)
Here’s the thing—rubber bullets hurt like hell but rarely cause serious injury. Tomasi got patched up and was back reporting within hours. But her crew? Furious. One producer was caught on a bystander’s phone screaming at cops: “She’s got a damn press pass!” Meanwhile, LAPD’s over here like, “We’ll look into it.”
Why Was LA Burning Anyway?
ICE, Protests, and the Whole Mess
Let me break it down: imagine your least favorite government agency. Now make it responsible for deporting people. That’s ICE. These protests? They’ve been brewing for years over detention camps and families getting torn apart. But this week—with new leaked reports of abuse—the pot boiled over.
When Riot Gear Meets Molotov Cocktails
LAPD came ready for war. Full riot gear, tear gas, the works. And look—some protesters were absolutely throwing stuff. But rubber bullets at a reporter? That’s the sort of move that makes even neutral observers side-eye the police. Especially when you see the video—the cop aimed
7News Australia went nuclear, calling it a “direct attack on journalism.” The CPJ (those press freedom watchdogs) demanded investigations. Meanwhile, journalists flooded Twitter with #ProtectThePress stories—like that CNN crew arrested last year while clearly identifying themselves. Pattern much? Their statement? Classic cop-speak: “necessary force” but “we take this seriously.” Translation: no one’s getting fired, but enjoy your internal review. Meanwhile, Trump’s out here suggesting National Guard deployment—because nothing cools tensions like adding soldiers to a protest, right? Remember those BLM protests? Over 100 journalists got arrested or injured. First Amendment says press has rights, but on the street? Cops treat cameras like threats. Legal experts keep saying “this isn’t okay,” yet here we are again. Some groups want new laws—like automatic body cam reviews when journalists get hit. Others say train cops to recognize press credentials. But let’s be real: when the system protects its own, how much will actually change? Tomasi’s shooting isn’t just about one reporter. It’s about whether journalists can do their jobs without becoming targets. Police have a tough job, sure. But when they start treating the press as enemies? That’s how democracies unravel—one rubber bullet at a time.Fallout: Outrage, Excuses, and the Usual Circus
Newsrooms Lose Their Minds
LAPD’s Masterclass in Non-Apologies
Bigger Picture: Journalism in the Crosshairs
2020 Wasn’t an Aberration
Fixing This Mess
Bottom Line
Want to Dig Deeper?
