A reporter with Richmond, Virginia CBS affiliate WTVR-TV was attacked by protesters with an Antifa march that was chanting, “We’re here! We’re gay! We fight the KKK!”, after he refused their demands to stop filming the group’s protest march against the KKK Sunday night in downtown Richmond in response to the deadly Nazi-Antifa clashes in Charlottesville the day before.
Video of the attack and the attackers was posted to Twitter by WTVR, as well as photos of the reporter who was taken to the hospital where staples were used to close a gash on his head.
Our @CBS6 photojournalist assaulted in the head while shooting protests in Richmond. In the hospital getting stitches. Stop the VIOLENCE! pic.twitter.com/xGEWu0SWr4
— Laura French (@lfrenchnews) August 14, 2017
The attack was also live tweeted by WTVR: “There is a large crowd moving through the streets of #RVA. “No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA.” Reportedly headed to Lee monument. People are screaming “go to bed” as the crowd marches by. #RVA The crowd is yelling at our news crew. They are telling us we can’t film them, and yelling profanity at the crew.”
“One of our photographers was hit with a stick in the back of the head by a protestor for shooting video of protest with his phone. @CBS6”
“”Film the clan (sic), don’t film us,” they are shouting as a square off begins. RPD gave final warning to disperse.”
Demonstrators between Laurel & Shafer on W. Broad St. EB lens blocked. Proceed with caution. #rva pic.twitter.com/RMfxzCELc2
— Richmond Police (@RichmondPolice) August 14, 2017
There is a large crowd moving through the streets of #RVA. "No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA." Reportedly headed to Lee monument.
— WTVR CBS 6 Richmond (@CBS6) August 14, 2017
People are screaming "go to bed" as the crowd marches by. #RVA
— WTVR CBS 6 Richmond (@CBS6) August 14, 2017
The crowd is yelling at our news crew.
— WTVR CBS 6 Richmond (@CBS6) August 14, 2017
They are telling us we can't film them, and yelling profanity at the crew.
— WTVR CBS 6 Richmond (@CBS6) August 14, 2017
One of our photographers was hit with a stick in the back of the head by a protestor for shooting video of protest with his phone. @CBS6 pic.twitter.com/vnuJ12KfLQ
— Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6) August 14, 2017
"Film the clan, don't film us," they are shouting as a square off begins. RPD gave final warning to disperse. pic.twitter.com/ewRkQe5fg2
— WTVR CBS 6 Richmond (@CBS6) August 14, 2017
Our photojournalist reported back that he got 4 staples after a protester hit him in the head. pic.twitter.com/bG5JRYfksJ
— WTVR CBS 6 Richmond (@CBS6) August 14, 2017
Photo shows reporter’s head with wound stapled closed by doctors.