Guild a Watchdog for Rights of Journalists Covering Occupy Protests

As police officers in Oakland, Calif., and other cities attempt to remove Occupy protesters, the Newspaper Guild-CWA is keeping a close eye on how authorities are treating reporters and photographers.

Oakland Tribune photographer Ray Chavez, a member of Pacific Media Workers Guild TNG-CWA 39521, is caught up between a line of Oakland police officers and Occupy protesters. Photo by Karl Mondon.

A dramatic photograph last week shows Oakland Tribune photographer and TNG-CWA member Ray Chavez, held at weapon-point by two police officers in riot gear. "Shortly after the photo was taken, a police officer grabbed at his camera, breaking off the flash and throwing it to the ground," CWA District 9 and Guild Representative Sara Steffens said. "As he continued to work, he was bruised by non-lethal weaponry — either tear gas canister, bean bags or rubber bullets."

Among other accounts of journalists caught up in Occupy sweeps or ordered to stop recording events, a weekly newspaper reporter was arrested last week as Tennessee state troopers evicted Nashville protesters. The young man, whose publisher is calling for the governor to apologize, attempted to stay out of the way of authorities and repeatedly identified himself as a reporter.

"Journalists know that their jobs can be dangerous," TNG-CWA President Bernie Lunzer said. "What they don't expect is to be detained, attacked or otherwise interfered with by police, as happened to at least three journalists in Oakland. All were clearly wearing press passes and carrying professional photo gear."

Using a link set up by the Guild, TNG-CWA members have been sending letters to Oakland City Hall reminding officials of the duty to respect the role of journalists in a free society. Click here to participate in the campaign.

Lunzer said the Guild will continue to serve as a watchdog and respond accordingly as the Occupy protests grow nationwide.