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02nd Jun 2020

Australian Prime Minister seeks investigation after police assault Australian news crew at White House protest

Conor Heneghan

7News

“They were quite violent and they do not care who they’re targeting at the moment.”

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called for an investigation after an Australian TV news crew were assaulted by police during protests outside the White House in Washington DC on Monday.

Covering the protests for 7NEWS, US Correspondent Amelia Brace and cameraman Tim Myers were assaulted by a police officer in scenes that were broadcast live on television in Australia.

Moments later, with the camera still rolling and while still live on air, Brace said: “You heard us yelling that we were media… but they don’t care. They are being indiscriminate at the moment.”

“They chased us down that street, as you can see,” she added.

“They were firing these rubber bullets at everyone, there is tear gas… we are really surrounded by police and you saw the way they dealt with my cameraman, Tim. They’re quite violent and they don’t care who they’re targeting at the moment.”

According to 7NEWS, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has demanded an investigation into the incident. Morrison has requested that it be investigated by the Australian Embassy in Washington and that they should provide further advice on registering the concern of the Australian government.

Commenting on the incident, Craig McPherson, Seven Network Director of News and Public Affairs said: “The attack on our reporter and cameraman in Washington today is nothing short of wanton thuggery.

“They weren’t in anyone’s way, just simply doing their job. To be belted with an armoured shield and then our reporter cop a truncheon in the back is abhorrent.”

In a speech in the White House on Monday, US President Donald Trump threatened to deploy the military to quell scenes of unrest throughout the country, saying: “If a city or a state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them.”

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