A reporter for Reuters was attacked on the streets of Washington, D.C., by violent rioters on Monday night for simply doing his job.
The rioters asked Jonathan Landay what he was doing in the area and when he responded that he was there to tell their story they came at him and attacked him.
Voice of America (VOA) journalist Ani Chkhikvadze captured the video while covering the protests and posted it to Twitter.
“Group of people at #DCprotests attacked #Reuters journalist @JonathanLanday,” Chkhikvadze said. “I accidentally caught it on camera – while covering the protests. According to him he was asked why he was there, he replied ‘I am here to tell you story’ / which is when he was attacked.”
WATCH:
Group of people at #DCprotests attacked #Reuters journalist @JonathanLanday. I accidentally caught it on camera – while covering the protests. According to him he was asked why he was there, he replied “I am here to tell you story” / which is when he was attacked. @VOANews pic.twitter.com/EWZtqGcjGQ
— Ani Chkhikvadze (@achkhikvadze) June 2, 2020
The incident happened after President Donald Trump addressed the nation on Monday night, promising to end the violent riots that Attorney General William Barr said last week appeared to be “planned, organized, and driven by anarchistic and far left extremists, using Antifa-like tactics, many of whom travel from out of state to promote the violence.”
“I am taking immediate presidential action to stop the violence and restore security and safety in America,” Trump said. “I am mobilizing all federal resources civilian and military to stop the rioting and your Second Amendment rights.”
“First we are ending the riots and lawlessness that has spread throughout our country. We will end it now,” Trump continued. “Today I have strongly recommended to every governor to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers that we dominate the streets. Mayors and governors must establish an overwhelming law enforcement presence until the violence has been quelled. If a city or state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will quickly deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them.”
“We are putting everybody on warning: Our seven o’clock curfew will be strictly enforced. Those who threaten innocent life and property will be arrested, detained, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Trump continued. “I want the organizers of this terror to be on notice that you will face severe criminal penalties and lengthy sentences in jail. This includes Antifa and others who are leading instigators of this violence.”
“We have one beautiful law. And once that is restored and fully restored, we will help you, we will help your business, and we will help your family,” Trump continued. “America is founded upon the rule of law. It is the foundation of our prosperity, our freedom, and our very way of life. But where there is no law, there is no opportunity. Where there is no justice, there is no liberty. Where there is no safety, there is no future.”
“We must never give in to anger or hatred. If malice or violence reigns, then none of us is free,” Trump concluded. “I take these actions today with firm resolve and with a true and passionate love for our country. By far, our greatest days lie ahead.”
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