As you probably know, journalist Andy Ngo was sent to the ER Saturday while covering an Antifa protest of a Proud Boys rally in Portland; he was first hit with milkshakes (which police now say could have been quick-drying cement) and when that didn’t dissuade him, then fists.
In the ER. pic.twitter.com/spe5N4nzVl
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 29, 2019
Twitchy covered a thread by Jake Tapper back in 2017 when he posted several instances of Antifa attacking journalists, and he reposted a few of those instances Saturday.
Antifa regularly attacks journalists; it’s reprehensible https://t.co/m8pBaSfomzhttps://t.co/kF1Mx8k8O2https://t.co/HIB88lIY7T https://t.co/fTKVBg17CG
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) June 29, 2019
“It’s reprehensible” should pretty well cover it, but other journalists were quick to hit Tapper with some, “Well ACKSHUALLY” posts.
Charlie Warzel is an opinion writer for the New York Times:
Thread from a great journalist who routinely embeds w/ hate groups. This doesn't discount that the situation is fucked and that violence should be unacceptable. But there are also serious risks involved with putting yourself in volatile situations. Any journalist should know that https://t.co/KPmaiSrmoM
— Charlie Warzel (@cwarzel) June 30, 2019
We’d post the thread from that “great journalist,” but he’s since protected his Twitter account. Very brave. Fortunately, Stephen Miller caught it:
Yeah you lost the plot right about here, Charlie. pic.twitter.com/1b9rRKNCup
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) June 30, 2019
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Yes, NPR’s Tim Mak was nearly hit by an egg. But we’re a little more concerned with Ngo, who was targeted for violence by Antifa.
This isn’t just happened to be in the way of “lobbing an egg.” pic.twitter.com/SVV2g9BCus
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) June 30, 2019
the situation and violence, as i said, is unacceptable. i also believe we can hold two notions in our heads at the same time.
— Charlie Warzel (@cwarzel) June 30, 2019
This wasn’t a “volatile” situation. They directly targeted & assaulted him. “Well he should of known better..” coming especially from this corner is truly astounding.
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) June 30, 2019
it is 100% a volatile situation any time you cover a clash between proud boys and antifascists. some reporters go to these things in bulletproof vests precisely because they have ended in violence before. and that is fucked up and doesn't excuse it but it's also the truth.
— Charlie Warzel (@cwarzel) June 30, 2019
Again you’re posing this as a journalist covering two factions just happened to get punched. One of those factions turned and assaulted him, on purpose. This wasn’t a stray bullet, Charlie, this was being targeted. Just incredible.
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) June 30, 2019
Definitely premeditated. Antifa in Portland have been after Andy Ngo for a long time since he documents their violence at every protest they do. Andy has documented how the press, police, and elected officials in Portland turn a blind eye.
— K Blank (@kjblank80) June 30, 2019
“Andy knew the risks! Sorry man, would love to help you but you know…”
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) June 30, 2019
Don't miss this thread => NY Times opinion writer making excuses for masked thugs assaulting a journalist in the street. https://t.co/NafabJ7MkL
— John Sexton (@verumserum) June 30, 2019
That is what gets me. "Volatile Situation." WTF is this guy talking about?
Standing on a street corner filming a public protest in broad daylight is a volatile situation journalists should be aware of and avoid for their own safety?
All of these 'well actually' takes are trash
— ThirstyMayor (@thethirstymayor) June 30, 2019
How is supposed to know that walking away will get more shit and punches in his direction?
— SpaceGhostCoast2Coast (@ASDFSPACEBAR) June 30, 2019
Again, this is how journalists are reacting to Tapper posting, with evidence, that Antifa often target journalists for the same reason they wear masks — they plan for violence and don’t want it documented. Even the mighty Washington Post learned that firsthand.
Antifa protesters couldn’t find any fascists at Unite the Right — and harassed the press instead https://t.co/egEKpkekgn
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 14, 2018
But don’t you dare criticize them. The real danger is covering a Trump rally when the crowd’s chanting, “CNN sucks!” or sitting in the White House briefing room and having a young female staffer try to hand the mic to another reporter.
Related:
Journalist Andy Ngo waiting for ambulance after being attacked by Antifa protesters in Portland https://t.co/yVtCMVOBsv
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) June 29, 2019
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