British photographer injured during LA protests over immigration raids

A British photojournalist is recovering after undergoing emergency surgery for injuries sustained during protests in Los Angeles. Nick Stern, an experienced photographer originally from Hertfordshire, was struck by a "plastic bullet" while documenting demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The protests erupted following a series of immigration raids in the city.

Photographer injured during clash

Stern was photographing the stand-off outside a Home Depot in Paramount, south of Los Angeles, on Sunday evening when the incident occurred. The bullet reportedly tore into his thigh, leaving him unable to move.

"There was something hard sticking out of the back of my leg, and my leg was getting wet from blood," Stern told the BBC. Protesters immediately came to his aid, carrying him to safety before a medic applied first aid. He was later taken to Long Beach Memorial Medical Centre, where surgeons removed the bullet.

Despite his injury, Stern remains committed to his work. "This is too important and it needs documenting," he said, adding that he plans to return to the field once he has recovered.

Tensions rise over immigration enforcement

The protests, which have been ongoing for three days, were sparked by mass deportation efforts under the Trump administration's policies. President Trump, who recently returned to the White House for a second term, has increased ICE raids and deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to California to manage unrest.

The Democratic governor of California has called for federal forces to withdraw, accusing the administration of escalating tensions. Community leaders in Los Angeles have also criticized ICE operations, describing them as disruptive and harmful to the city's close-knit communities.

Escalating risks for journalists

Stern is no stranger to danger, having covered protests and riots globally. He noted that he was clearly identifiable as press, wearing a press card and carrying a camera. This is not the first time he has been injured in the line of duty; he previously sustained injuries in 2020 while covering protests following the death of George Floyd.

Other journalists have also faced risks during the recent demonstrations. Australian reporter Lauren Tomasi was hit by a non-lethal round while filming for 9 News.

Calls for accountability

The unrest highlights broader concerns about the treatment of journalists and the use of crowd-control weapons during protests. Advocacy groups have called for greater accountability and safeguards to ensure press freedom and the safety of civilians during demonstrations.

Stern’s case serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by journalists covering volatile situations, as well as the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States.