August 16, 2020 | 9:17am | Updated August 16, 2020 | 9:52am
A black Michigan reporter filmed his own arrest as dozens of cops in riot gear suddenly descended on dueling rallies between anti-racism protesters and far-right Proud Boys in Kalamazoo, according to his site.
MLive reporter Samuel Robinson, 23, had commented on the lack of police presence during the violence Saturday when suddenly a large force of law enforcement clad in black protective clothing emerged.
As he filmed live for the local news site, Robinson walked among the officers — appearing to get right up to many of them — telling them he was media as others called the officers “literal Nazis.”
“Jesus — I’m being arrested!” Robinson suddenly cried, his camera shaking as officers were shown around him.
He repeatedly shouted, “I’m media!” before the live feed was cut.
He was charged with impeding traffic and released from custody a few hours later on $100 bond, his news site said.
“The working press must be assured the right to cover public events that clearly are in the public interest, without reprisals,” said John Hiner, MLive’s vice president of content.
“These situations are difficult for all involved, but media who identify themselves are not a part of the event — they are working it, just like the police.”
Samuel Robinson just before his arrestYoutubeThe dueling rallies turned violent when an estimated 50 Proud Boys — deemed a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center — were confronted by about 150 to 200 counter-protesters, MLive said.
It was “very obvious the Proud Boys were going after Black people in the crowd; it was clear from the get-go,” Rev. Nathan Dannison, a pastor who organized of the counter-protest, said.
Kalamazoo Deputy City Manager Jeff Chamberlain claimed that the heavy police presence came because multiple groups were visibly armed with various weapons, including firearms.
“Numerous physical fights broke out among the groups,” Chamberlain said in a statement.
“Once the event turned violent, the officers responded quickly and restored order. To restore order to the area, the officers declared a police zone and dispersed the crowds. This is still an unpredictable situation and we encourage the community to remain safe.”
This post originally appeared on and written by:
1
Drudge Report
