California police agencies are violating Penal Code Section 409.7 with their arrests of reporters and photojournalists during recent campus protests. The code prohibits police from interfering with reporters during a protest and from citing reporters for failing to disperse and allows reporters to enter closed areas around a protest. (Freedom of the Press Foundation, May 16, 2024, by Caitlin Vogus)
In related news, California Highway Patrol officers fired into crowds at the Palestinian protests at UCLA with “less-lethal” weapons in violation of laws limiting the use of such weapons only in case of immediate threat to officers. The weapons should not be aimed at the heads or necks of protesters. (Cal Matters, May 13, 2024, by Sergio Olmos)
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