Seattle, Washington – Two independent journalists allege they were violently attacked while covering immigration protests in the city, claiming local media and officials have largely ignored the danger posed by radical leftist groups. Cameron Higby, an investigative journalist primarily focused on protest coverage, described his harrowing experience during an anti-ICE rally in downtown Seattle.
As dusk settled, Higby noted that Antifa members seized control of the streets, leading to a series of violent confrontations. He shared that protestors were seen attempting to break into nearby businesses and obstructing vehicles. Videos circulating on social media depict rioters confronting drivers, demanding compliance with slogans such as “F— ICE” and reportedly setting fires beneath vehicles of those who resisted. In one instance, a woman was so frightened that she abandoned her car amid the turmoil.
After some initial chaos, Higby found a moment of relative calm near a federal building, where he took a seat on the sidewalk. Dressed in a gas mask and clothing resembling that of Antifa, he was quickly identified and approached by individuals who attempted to remove his protective gear. He described being violently assaulted, with multiple assailants pinning him against a wall and attacking him with fists and other weapons. “I ended up with a concussion, nausea, and other injuries that required medical attention,” he explained.
While Higby has faced violence from protestors in the past, he characterized this latest incident as the most severe. He fears the outcome could have been significantly worse had he not been wearing a helmet during the altercation. “This could have easily led to critical injuries or worse,” he remarked.
Higby expressed concerns regarding law enforcement’s response to the protests, claiming that the Seattle Police Department was instructed not to intervene. He indicated that a detective is now overseeing the investigation but described the process as painfully slow, suggesting a lack of urgency on the part of the authorities.
Local media coverage of these incidents has drawn criticism from Higby and others. He lamented that many outlets portrayed the protests as peaceful despite the violence erupting around them. Brandi Kruse, another independent journalist covering a related anti-ICE protest in Tukwila, recounted her own troubling experiences when protestors turned aggressive almost immediately upon her arrival, with armed individuals surrounding her and her team.
Kruse emphasized the threat posed by protestors, recounting incidents where she was sprayed with water and faced harassment designed to intimidate her and block her reporting. She was also subjected to a physical attack when a man sprayed insecticide in her face, a moment that underscored the escalating aggression toward journalists attempting to document the events.
“The goal is to silence anyone exposing their actions,” Kruse said, reflecting on her extensive experience covering protests over the last 15 years. She, too, condemned local media outlets for their perceived complicity in downplaying the violent behavior of these groups.
Both journalists have filed police reports and are seeking accountability, although the future of these cases remains uncertain. As tensions in the region continue to rise, many observers are questioning the role of local leadership and media in addressing the increasingly violent confrontations that characterize these protests.