Donald Trump's press secretary says police who attacked Australian journalists 'had right to defend themselves'

Authored by sbs.com.au and submitted by rstlg
image for Donald Trump's press secretary says police who attacked Australian journalists 'had right to defend themselves'

Two US police officers have been placed on administrative leave after a Seven Network journalist and cameraman were beaten at a rally outside the White House.

Amelia Brace was struck by a truncheon and Tim Myers punched and hit with a shield when US Park Police in riot gear aggressively cleared Washington DC's Lafayette Square of protesters on Monday ahead of a visit to a church by US President Donald Trump.

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who compared Mr Trump's walk to the church to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill examining bomb damaged London in World War II, defended the actions of the police.

"As is consistent with our established practices and procedures, two US Park Police officers have been assigned to administrative duties, while an investigation takes place regarding the incident with the Australian Press," Park Police acting Chief Gregory Monahan said on Wednesday.

A rally was held in the park demanding justice for George Floyd, the Minneapolis man who died during a police arrest last week.

Ms Brace and Mr Myers, who were doing a live cross back to Australia when they were struck, said they were also shot with rubber bullets and struggled to breathe after tear gas was fired into the crowd.

Ms McEnany rejected that and said the police had "a right to defend themselves".

"No tear gas was used and no rubber bullets were used," Ms McEnany said.

When a reporter countered by asking if "chemical agents were used" she replied: "So, again, no tear gas was used, no rubber bullets were used".

Ms McEnany said the protesters in the park were told three times over loudspeakers they needed to move, became unruly and threw bricks and frozen water bottles at police.

"The officers had no other choice than, in that moment, to act and make sure that they were safe and that the perimeter was pushed back," she said.

After the park was cleared on Monday evening Mr Trump, holding a bible, joined Attorney General William Barr, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and other administration officials for a walk through the park and a photo opportunity in front of St John's Episcopal Church.

Ms McEnany said Mr Trump visited the church, which was targeted in an arson attack on Sunday, "to send a very powerful message".

"Like Churchill, we saw him inspecting the bombing damage; it sent a powerful message of leadership to the British people," she said.

"And George W Bush throwing out the ceremonial first pitch after 9/11.

"And Jimmy Carter, putting on a sweater to encourage energy savings.

"And George HW Bush signing the Americans with Disabilities Act, flanked by two disabled Americans."

Seven's director of news and public affairs Craig McPherson described the police actions against Ms Brace and Mr Myers as "nothing short of wanton thuggery" and Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Payne said she asked the Australian embassy to investigate.

In London, a man has been arrested after allegedly grabbing an Australian journalist and hitting her in the stomach as she covered a Black Lives Matter protest in Hyde Park.

Channel Nine Europe correspondent Sophie Walsh can be heard screaming live on-air and was visibly shaken when the camera cut back to her.

Appearing on Channel Nine's Today show on Thursday with camera operator Jason Conduit, Walsh said she was "pretty rattled still".

Thank you for your messages. The man has been arrested for threats to kill and carrying a weapon. I’m shaken but ok. Big thanks to my incredible camerman Jason Conduit who chased him down armed with a light stand and got him arrested. https://t.co/YRxrUB3j4l — Sophie Walsh (@sophie_walsh9) June 3, 2020

"Even just hearing the sound of my scream, I don't think anyone knows the sound of their true scream until they are in a situation like that where they feel that it's a life or death scenario," she said.

"I had this guy, random, come up behind me and grab me from behind ... He sort of started punching me with, the only way I can describe it, sort of stabby motions."

During the interview, Walsh said the man was "calmly" repeating "Allahu Akbar" during the attack.

Conduit used a light stand to chase and apprehend the man until the police arrived.

"You do what you gotta do, I knew he had to be stopped and the cops had to come eventually and fortuitously they did quite soon," he said.

Police officers found the man had a screwdriver and charged him with threats to kill and possessing an offensive weapon.

Hours later, in a separate incident, Nine reporter Ben Avery was also confronted in an underground tunnel while he was broadcasting live to the Today show on Thursday.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged Australians taking part in global anti-racism protests to exercise extreme caution.

"In terms of some of the violence we're seeing around the world today, for those Australians who find themselves in those situations, I would urge them to show great caution," Mr Morrison said on Thursday.

"Already we have had to provide support for those in the media sector, for journalists who have found themselves in those situations, and of course we will continue to provide that support.

"But I would urge people to be extremely cautious.

"These are dangerous situations and people should exercise great care in where they're placing themselves."

wynnduffyisking on June 4th, 2020 at 06:43 UTC »

“The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”

Priyon on June 4th, 2020 at 05:33 UTC »

"Defend themselves" from what, a harmless little camera in the distance?

Are American cops that insecure about being watched?

majungo on June 4th, 2020 at 05:17 UTC »

From fucking what?!