Read on Twitter
Thread on my protest coverage
(1) It’s been said by some observers that protesters “didn’t do their homework” on me prior to concluding I am a “Nazi” and “right-wing journalist,” among other labels thrown my way.
(1) It’s been said by some observers that protesters “didn’t do their homework” on me prior to concluding I am a “Nazi” and “right-wing journalist,” among other labels thrown my way.
(2) In addition to footage of looting and vandalism; threats against media; conservative rallies and interviews with police, on my Youtube channel there are numerous videos of BLM protests which include dozens of interviews with activists and speeches given by protesters.
(3) My protest videos also include coverage of events like the death of Robert Fuller and the killing of Andres Guardado that gave much more airtime, or maybe streamtime, to the protesters’ account of what happened than opposing viewpoints.
(4) There is also footage of law enforcement officers deploying tear gas and firing a whole array of less-lethal munitions, including at @RomikaAnnabell and I. Law enforcement officers shot both of us with what we believe to have been pepper balls.
(5) I am not stating this in attempt to appease those who have harassed, threatened and even assaulted me. I do not believe in appeasing those attempting to suppress freedom of the press.
(6) Rather, I am publishing this thread to make it clear I stand by my reporting. It has been straightforward coverage of news events and has provided a range of viewpoints on the protests and civil unrest on the West Coast in recent months.
(7) Unfortunately, the attempts to suppress my reporting by use of harassment, threats, intimidation and force became so pervasive that covering the protests in the style I prefer — live and on the ground — creates a tremendous risk to my safety.
(8) In recent months, I’ve been in similar situations to what happened to activist-journalist Chad Nesbitt in Asheville, NC this week. The mob incident in Asheville ended in a traumatic brain injury for Nesbitt. I pray for his recovery, but I do not want the same to happen to me.
(9) Additionally, I do not want to place a focus on myself in my protest coverage. I did not set out to protests in late May to report on myself. I set out to do what I have been doing for years — filming and reporting on major news events.
(10) Unfortunately, harassment, threats and occasional violence against me complicate the reporting process. But I’ll find ways to adapt.
