My 15th time in the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker 😡 'Reporter ticketed, jabbed with police baton at LA protest' @freedom.press pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incident...

Reporter @shoton35mm.bsky.social of @lataco.bsky.social was ticketed by police, kettled and shoved with a baton while covering a “May Day Strong” rally in LA on May 1.

To mark #WorldPressFreedomDay this Sunday, I wrote a short piece for @jamuseum.bsky.social's Democracy Center on importance of documenting history through #journalism. Quick way to catch up on problems on ground in LA and to illustrate why press is so critical to a functioning democracy.

Lexis-Olivier Ray (2026)

Footage of LAPD officers detaining me for allegedly being in the road while covering the May Day protest in Downtown for @lataco.bsky.social. You can clearly see that other people are in the road. But I was the only person who was detained and cited. Video by Benjamin Hanson.

LAPD Officer Louie Gener wearing a "MEDIC, KINDA..." patch yesterday during the May Day protest in Downtown. @lataco.bsky.social

Yesterday, LAPD officer Cisneros Escoto jabbed me in my chest w/ her baton when I calmly asked for her serial number. I was asking for her serial number because a few moments earlier she shoved me with her baton while I filmed an arrest. This happened while LAPD kettled mostly press.

Photos of LAPD officers detaining me for allegedly stepping into the street while covering a protest by the great Carrie Schreck (who is not on BlueSky). @lataco.bsky.social

Tonight LAPD officers arrested @westonrowland.bsky.social, an attorney involved in the L.A. Press Club lawsuit against the LAPD for violating press rights. @lataco.bsky.social

Alright, after a short bit of confusion earlier, now getting confirmation that Nick Stern and Weston Rowland (the attorney) have been released. Both uninjured.

They arrested my public records lawyer tonight!

Hours later, LAPD just arrested Weston Rowland, an attorney who is involved in the LA press club lawsuit against LAPD for violating press rights. Cc @adamrose.bsky.social @westonrowland.bsky.social

While covering a May Day protest in Downtown this afternoon for @lataco.bsky.social an LAPD officer detained me and cited me for (drum roll) - allegedly standing in the street.

Back at the MDC, bike cops pulled up, pulled Lex from @lataco.bsky.social behind the line, and are citing him for apparently not being on the sidewalk We now have hundreds of cops back here at the MDC

They are pulling press members out one by one, leaving what looks like just four protesters. Just after I typed this, Nick Stern, reporter, was arrested. I havent been asked yo

Leaked LAPD records reveal officers in fireworks blast received only brief suspensions. Good get from @liborjany.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...

In late March, 18-year-old Tucker Collins was on his way to completing his first year of college at the University of Southern California (USC), unaware of the life-altering events that were to come. The full story: lataco.com/usc-student-... By Lizbeth Solorzano and @shoton35mm.bsky.social

For 420, we taste-tested 3 classic Chinatown meals at Philippe’s, LaSorted's, and Juanitas Cafe sober vs 🍃🔥💨 🎥: @marinamasako.bsky.social @shoton35mm.bsky.social Julianne Le, Lizbeth Solorzano, Izzy Ramirez

Lexis-Olivier — thank YOU. @lataco.bsky.social keeps me connected to my hometown in a way no other media outlet can or does. (Maybe they just don’t want to, which isn’t good!) I’m a former news person who knows the many unnecessary challenges there are, *especially* for independent journalists.

Thank you for making the world & nation a better place with your impactful reporting, @shoton35mm.bsky.social

LA Taco is the subscription I’ll never quit.

UPDATE: The LAPD officer at the center of this story -- Vincent Deglinnocenti -- is no longer an LAPD officer. Last month he surrendered his license to be a cop in CA. This comes a year after my reporting pushed the LAPD to investigate Deglinnocenti for pulling a gun on a teen. @lataco.bsky.social

A lot of people are unhappy with how they consume media. To this I say: You need to meal-plan your media diet! mattdpearce.substack.com/p/you-should...

Also in this weekend’s guidea new burger with Lebanese roots in Culver City and the world's biggest dry-aging facility with its own hand roll bar in DTLA. The full guide: lataco.com/weekend-eats... By Hadley Tomicki

LAPD misconduct has defunded the City of Los Angeles to the tune of $430 million. That will soar after new claims the past few months. Karen Bass has been an elected official 20+ years. As mayor she appointed the chief and entire police commission. She’s never said ONE WORD about this in public.

> “The message from the city, the mayor, City Council, is that LAPD is free to go out and attack and assault Angelenos, and their budget will remain the same,” Sergienko says. “The city will continue to go broke paying these settlements. It's just ridiculous.”

These claims for damages come at a time when the city is in a financial crisis, largely due in part to the number of past lawsuits filed against the LAPD. The full story: lataco.com/claims-for-d... By Lizbeth Solorzano and @shoton35mm.bsky.social

LA Taco is on it. Thanks @shoton35mm.bsky.social

🐦 The LA Reporter, Issue 23: 'Why were we not allowed to speak to this decision-making body?' thelareporter.la/p/the-la-rep... In this issue, the mystery around a canceled "ICE out of LAPD" presentation, police union pulls endorsement of city attorney after data leak, and more.

My latest explainer video for @lataco.bsky.social

Scoop: City of L.A. Facing Over 120 Claims For Damages Related To Anti-ICE Protests Amid Financial Crisis @lataco.bsky.social lataco.com/claims-for-d...

My 14th time in the Press Freedom Tracker in 6 years 😟

Reporter @shoton35mm.bsky.social, on assignment for @lataco.bsky.social, was shoved by police, and later kettled and threatened with arrest while documenting a protest outside a federal immigrant detention facility in LA on March 28.

"Amateur hour at the U.S. attorney's office": Federal prosecutors in L.A. continue their unprecedented string of trial losses in protest cases. Latest from @brittnymejia.bsky.social www.latimes.com/california/s...

🐦 The LA Reporter, Issue 21: LA's history of political scandals prompts charter reform recommendations thelareporter.la/p/the-la-rep... In this issue, LA Charter Reform recs go to City Council, new poll finds 40% undecided on mayor's race, candidates dropout of debates in CD1, and more.

From Chief Jim McDonnell's statement on the recent No Kings protest: "In recent days, claims have been circulated alleging LAPD personnel used unlawful force and intentionally interfered with members of the media." Full statement: www.lapdonline.org/newsroom/chi...

Saturday in LA at No Kings 3 LAPD - 3 press unlawfully detained 2+ hours - 2 press unlawfully arrested & cited - 3 possible press handcuffed and driven away, identity/status unknown - Dozens of press unlawfully obstructed DHS - Person holding camera shot in face - Threw tear gas at group of press

For the second time in three months, LAPD Metropolitan Division officers threatened to arrest me while I was covering the No Kings Day protest on Saturday for @lataco.bsky.social. I narrowly avoided arrest thanks to @adamrose.bsky.social advocating for me and other journalists!

Ahead of tomorrow’s No Kings Protest, @shoton35mm.bsky.social shares some advice on how to prepare for law enforcement presence and potential escalations.

🎯

We surpassed our goal!! Thank you to the 220+ people who donated to the fundraiser to help me launch @lataco.bsky.social investigative news desk!! givebutter.com/la-taco-inve...

We did it!!!

Listen, @lataco.bsky.social set the stage for how to report on ICE. They deserve the backup!

Street-level journalism is needed more than ever as deep-pocketed owners starve and gut their newsrooms nationwide. Proud to be a years-long LA Taco member.

Sponsored by a 501(c)3 - email [email protected] for details.

well worth supporting

Breaking: SC newspaper verifies portions of Trump accuser's story. Textbook journalism. Local journalism. Support your local news outlets. www.postandcourier.com/news/epstein...

75% right now. go get em.

Shot on Arthouse Film Lab 250D cinema film. Processed and scanned by Arthouse Film Lab in Chinatown.