The media was one of the targets of the violent mob of Donald Trump supporters who stormed Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on Wednesday. One woman was killed in the violence that followed as the mob clashed with the police.
The New York Times reported that journalists' cameras were smashed, others were threatened, and the words "Murder the Media" were scratched onto a door. A CBS News journalist told NYT the mob was "absolutely, ferociously angry at the media".
"Murder the media" was carved into the U.S. Capitol today. There are no words to express how disturbing this is. A free press that's able to hold those in power accountable is what makes our democracy work. I'm proud to be a journalist & I'm thankful for my colleagues on the Hill pic.twitter.com/C3Xke1dEX6
— Samantha-Jo Roth (@SamanthaJoRoth) January 7, 2021
On Twitter, journalists reported that equipment was "seized" from media crews covering the violence.
Outside the Capitol, Trump supporters took all the equipment from a news media crew (hearing it was AP) and are looking for ways to set it on fire. pic.twitter.com/iV9Ah8QdXo
— Ellie Hall (@ellievhall) January 6, 2021
Trump rioters drive CNN Media members out, and destroy all of CNN’s equipment at Capitol. Tens of thousands of dollars at least pic.twitter.com/KuYcJndZFK
— ChuckModi (@ChuckModi1) January 6, 2021
Video footage of the mob showed the equipment being smashed while Trump supporters said the media was the "enemy of the people".
BREAKING. Mob of Trump supporters swarm the media near the US Capitol. They yell what Trump frequently says, “the media is the enemy of the people.” They destroy equipment and chased out reporters. I’ve never seen anything like this in my 20 year career: @nbcwashington @MSNBC pic.twitter.com/3VLC07JQR2
— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) January 6, 2021
Trump supporters moved in and attacked a media section near the Capitol Building and are trashing their cameras and equipment @WTOP pic.twitter.com/N6ov5a3pCu
— Ken Duffy (@KenDuffyNews) January 6, 2021
Journalists also reported that the mob was "charging" towards the media. A Buzzfeed News reporter tweeted that the Trump supporters "made a noose" from a camera cord and hung it from a tree.
JUST NOW: protestors charging the media pic.twitter.com/cANlcv5CMP
— William Turton (@WilliamTurton) January 6, 2021
They made a noose from the camera cord and hung it from a tree. pic.twitter.com/M9KC7odLAm
— Paul McLeod (@pdmcleod) January 6, 2021
The Committee to Protect Journalists swiftly issued a statement condemning the attack, both on journalists and lawmakers. Executive director Joel Simon said: "Journalists and news crews covering these events, which are of paramount public interest, must be able to do so freely and safely, with the support and protection of law enforcement. Intimidation and vandalism have already been carried out by violent protesters and there is a real possibility of escalating attacks on the media. We urge journalists and news organisations to take every precaution."
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