On Saturday night, Sept. 12, AAJA-LA member and KPCC/LAist reporter Josie Huang was arrested by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies for allegedly “obstructing justice.” Huang was covering the shooting of two deputies in Compton. She was released overnight with visible bruises, KPCC reported.
We stand in support of our fellow Asian American journalist. Video taken at the scene shows that Huang was forcefully detained by at least five officers. Her arrest serves as a reminder of the risks that journalists face every day while reporting on the front lines during these uncertain times.
We hold the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department accountable to provide answers for the excessive use of force in the detainment of our colleague. The Los Angeles chapter of AAJA demands an investigation and apology for her arrest. We will not idly stand by as the mistreatment of journalists, especially journalists of color, continues by law enforcement.
You can read more of the details here.
--AAJA-Los Angeles Chapter and AAJA National Board of Directors
