UPDATE:In a subsequent phone interview with the reporter/victim Charlie Kratovil, Kratovil said he was not aware of a gun being pulled and after reviewing the hotel security video doubts that it was a gun being wielded by the man in the blue suit. Watch below to decide. Article updated with qualifiers.
Freedom of the press? Transparency? Not when CNN analyst April Ryan is speaking. Video taken August 3rd by a reporter shows April Ryan apparently siccing her security guard on the reporter who was videotaping her speech at a New Brunswick, New Jersey charity event by Project Ready. After speaking with Ryan–who stopped her speech shortly after beginning it because it was being filmed–the guard is seen stealing the reporter’s camera and taking it out of the banquet hall at The Heldrich Hotel. Hotel security video later shows Ryan’s guard manhandling the reporter in the lobby and forcibly ejecting him from the hotel. Another man, in a blue suit, pulls what appears to be a handgun and points it at the reporter! It is not clear if the man who apparently pulled the gun on the reporter is hotel or Ryan security. (UPDATE: Kratovil said the man is the hotel manager.)
The reporter had been cleared by the event organizer and PR firms handling the event to attend and videotape Ryan’s keynote speech. However Ryan, after speaking to her security guard from the stage, informed the audience that she bans reporters from her speeches so she can speak freely.
Screen image from hotel security video shows man in blue suit at top center pointing what appears to be a black handgun at a reporter in white shirt trying to cover April Ryan speech being forcibly removed by Ryan security guard in black suit.
Video of the hotel lobby assault. Ryan’s security guard is in the black suit. After giving back the camera to the reporter he then attempts to steal it back as others crowd around the reporter and demand he leave. When the reporter resists, the guard grabs hims and forces him out of the hotel. A heavy-set man in a blue suit pulls what appears to be a black handgun from his right and points it at the reporter and follows as he is ejected. The man puts the apparent gun away without firing it.
Here is the surveillance video from the hotel, provided to me by Charlie. It shows @AprilDRyan's bodyguard trying to snatch his camera and assaulting the local reporter. The video ends with the bodyguard dragging him out of the building. pic.twitter.com/rnAM0iVNEc
— Marcus J. DiPaola (@marcusdipaola) August 14, 2019
Longer video via YouTube:
The reporter who was attacked is Charlie Kratovil, the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today. (Note, Kratovil says he is anti-Trump, so Ryan fragged an ally in the Resistance.)
Video shows Ryan speaking to her guard before the guard removes Kratovil’s camera while it is recording.
Kratovil posted a multi-part Twitter thread (excerpts below) explaining what happened and identifying Ryan’s security guard as Joel Morris.
I’m the editor of @NB_Today & our team was explicitly invited to attend & cover the event by @juanmelli (Mercury Public Affairs) on 7/25 & again on 8/1.
We also published a very fair preview article that highlighted Ms. Ryan’s scheduled keynote speech: https://t.co/3SadzDIzNh
— Charlie Kratovil (@Charlie4Change) August 5, 2019
On Friday 8/2, I RSVP’ed to Mr. Melli and specifically stated that I wanted to attend “Saturday’s keynote speech.” There was a full day of other stuff scheduled that day, the second day of the 3-day “summit” sponsored by a bunch of NJ groups that push for more charter schools. pic.twitter.com/CVcs0src2t
— Charlie Kratovil (@Charlie4Change) August 5, 2019
I spent nearly 3 hours at the #NJParentSummit without incident. Before the program began, I introduced myself to @RepDonaldPayne and thanked him for his recent support of impeaching the President. I also helped take a couple photos for a woman who wanted one w/ the Congressman.
— Charlie Kratovil (@Charlie4Change) August 5, 2019
At about 8:30pm, Rep. Payne took to the stage to introduce the keynote speaker, Ms. Ryan. During the intro, this man came up to me, mentioned my video camera & asked me “Who are you with?”
I gave him my card & explained that I followed the proper channels to cover the event. pic.twitter.com/4yBpBujyvE
— Charlie Kratovil (@Charlie4Change) August 5, 2019
Ms. Ryan’s remarks were then interrupted by a visit from the mystery man, who I later learned is named Joel Morris and works as a “security guard” for Ms. Ryan.
Mr. Morris approached the podium & said something to her. She nodded and went silent for the next 27 seconds.
— Charlie Kratovil (@Charlie4Change) August 5, 2019
“When I speak, I don’t have news covering my speech,” explained Ms. Ryan, adding she wanted to be able to have an “unfettered” discussion.
Never mind the other video camera (or the other news reporter) that still remained in the room.
— Charlie Kratovil (@Charlie4Change) August 5, 2019
Now guilty of 3rd-degree theft of movable property under NJ law , Mr. Morris fled towards to the front desk of the hotel, bringing the stolen property w/ him.
I gathered some of my belongings and caught up w/ the thief, demanding he return the camera. He eventually gave it up.
— Charlie Kratovil (@Charlie4Change) August 5, 2019
I was carrying my phone (which was recording audio) in one hand & the camera/tripod in the other.
I tried to get away from the perpetrator, but within seconds, he began assaulting me without provocation in the lobby & continued his assault as he forced me out of the building.
— Charlie Kratovil (@Charlie4Change) August 5, 2019
I screamed and used some profane language towards Mr. Morris as he grabbed my left arm and twisted it behind my back, injuring my forearm and shoulder.
I later gave a statement to NBPD's Ryan Daughton & he told me that he'd prepare a police report.
I intend to press charges.
— Charlie Kratovil (@Charlie4Change) August 5, 2019
UPDATE: Independent screen grab:
https://twitter.com/TheJoshuaTurner/status/1161711193511419904
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