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Some photos I took today of the Lakeland, FL protest. It’s been a while since I started my career as a photojournalist, so I’m a little rusty... but anyway, the protestors were generally celebratory. But some were blocking part of the intersection at Memorial Blvd and Florida Ave
Tensions rose as police cruisers and SWAT vehicles showed up
Tear gas was deployed and that’s when things got out of control
People were definitely angry, but from my vantage point, there was no looting or buildings being damaged.
@KylieMcGivern interviewed this protestors who wanted to share with us the reason why he is frustrated and angry. https://twitter.com/smithreports/status/1267260596338282498?s=21">https://twitter.com/smithrepo... https://twitter.com/smithreports/status/1267260596338282498">https://twitter.com/smithrepo...
When he walked away to leave the area (because police were clearing the scene), he was hit with pepper spray https://twitter.com/smithreports/status/1267260987234824193?s=21">https://twitter.com/smithrepo... https://twitter.com/smithreports/status/1267260987234824193">https://twitter.com/smithrepo...
My crew and I were also caught in the cloud of pepper spray. I point this out because it affected a lot of civilians around me as well who were walking away as police ordered people to clear the area https://twitter.com/kyliemcgivern/status/1267249884698152962?s=21">https://twitter.com/kyliemcgi... https://twitter.com/kyliemcgivern/status/1267249884698152962">https://twitter.com/kyliemcgi...
Finally — thank you to the very nice man in the red truck who parked in front of us to protect our news vehicle and us as we packed up. Double thank you for selflessly giving me your unopened bottle of eye drops!
