Journalist Hit by Rubber Bullet During Los Angeles Immigration Protest

Los Angeles Protest Turns Violent: Journalist Hit by Rubber Bullet Los Angeles, CA – June 10, 2025 – Tensions escalated sharply during a protest in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, resulting in an Australian journalist being struck by a rubber bullet fired by law enforcement. The protest, centered around the recent mass arrests of individuals suspected of being undocumented immigrants, saw a rapid deterioration in the situation as police, mounted on horseback, moved to disperse the crowd. Lauren Tomasi, a U.S. correspondent for 9News Australia, was reporting live from the scene when the incident occurred. In the video, she can be seen calmly reporting before suddenly reacting to the impact of the rubber bullet. After being struck, she continued to report, providing a firsthand account of the event's intensity. "The situation has now rapidly deteriorated," Tomasi stated during her live report, just moments before being hit. "The LAPD is moving in on horseback, firing rubber bullets at protesters." The incident raises concerns about the use of force by law enforcement during protests and the safety of journalists covering such events. The video footage has gone viral, sparking widespread debate about the handling of the protest and the broader issue of immigration enforcement. While police have yet to release an official statement, the incident underscores the need for a thorough investigation into the use of force and measures to protect journalists in the field.