US

‘Fu**ing Tug of War Over My Camera’: Black Bloc Occupy Protesters Attack Photographers In NYC

Occupy Wall Street attempted a reboot yesterday, as thousands took to the streets in cities across the globe. Among the protesters, a minority of so-called black bloc protesters relied on violent and destructive tactics to make their anti-capitalist message heard.

(Related: Seattle May Day Protest Turns Into Black Bloc Gone Wild)

On Tuesday, The Blaze told you about Seattle, Washington, and the mayor‘s use of emergency powers following black blockers’ attacks, as they smashed shop windows, attacked banks and waged random assaults. In New York City, these dangerous individuals took different — yet equally disturbing — measures. People dressed in black and with their faces covered attacked photographers and attempted to take their cameras.

Occupy Black Bloc Protesters Attack Photographers & Journalists

The end goal was apparently to seize — or at least damage — their devices. While there were no reported injuries, BuzzFeed reports that one photographer was hit in the face and another found herself in a “tug-of-war” of sorts with a protester over her camera. A third individual had her camera smashed by Occupiers, according to witnesses.

“The black bloc crowd has been making grabs for cameras,” C.S. Muncy, a photographer who is working on freelance assignments for the Village Voice, told BuzzFeed. ”I had a couple people make grabs for my gear. They just didn’t want their pictures taken.”

Occupy Black Bloc Protesters Attack Photographers & Journalists

Muncy also told BuzzFeed about one of the altercations he saw unfold between a protester and another professional photographer. The photographer, who he claims was Reuters’ Lucas Jackson, defended himself.

“One girl walks up to one of the photogs and nailed him right in the face,” Muncy said. “He popped her right back.”

Muncy tweeted some of the attacks as they unfolded:

Occupy Black Bloc Protesters Attack Photographers & Journalists

Another freelance photographer, Stephanie Keith (mentioned in Muncy’s tweet), told the outlet that a masked man grabbed her camera as she was holding it above her head to capture a confrontation between police and Occupiers.

“All of a sudden this guy, who was way bigger than me, grabs my camera [yelling] ‘No cameras, no cameras, no cameras,’” she explained. ”We were having a fu**ing tug of war over my camera. It’s a four thousand dollar camera.”

The black bloc protester let go when Keith tried to bite his hand in an attempt to force him to release his grasp on the camera. She also tweeted about the incident:

Occupy Black Bloc Protesters Attack Photographers & Journalists

These weren’t the only stories, though. While photographer Jeremy Sparig claims it was Occupy Protesters who inevitably saved him from an attack by black blocers, his story is equally troubling. Metro.us has more:

Photographer Jeremy Sparig was following protesters as they ran along Forsyth Street after marching across the Williamsburg Bridge. The protesters he was specifically shooting were dressed all in black, with black hoods and goggles covering their faces. This group has taken on the moniker Black Bloc.

“I was in the street, shooting this protester as he ran and he said, ‘Get out of the street,’ or something,” Sparig said.

Sparig told the man he was a journalist trying to record the day’s events, but that’s when the man took a swing at him.

Three other men, also dressed in black with their faces hidden, jumped in and kicked him in the back to the ground, and started punching him in the back of the head. He dodged their blows, but one punch landed solidly right on his crown. Sparig said the first thing he tried to do was shield his head, and then his camera equipment, as he kept telling the men he was a journalist.

The Blaze, too, encountered some resistance from individuals who were in our cameras’ line of sight. While shooting a portion of the event, a group of Occupiers yelled at Blaze editor Tiffany Gabbay and me, demanding that we not film them.

(H/T: BuzzFeed)

Comments (80)

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  • AvengerK
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:34am

    Will anybody be sending a condolence card to Van Jones, Steve Lerner and David Brock expressing their sorrow for the epic failure May Day was for OWS? Looks like the real 99% went to school, their jobs and about their daily business. No massive strikes, not solidarity with OWS…nothing….
    There’s a reason for this. America is not Europe. This is why the left wants to turn America into Europe. No “austerity measures”. Americans don’t rely on cradle-to-the-grave entitlements that all of a sudden cannot be paid for. Americans don’t have to fear a government that can change the constitution at a whim. Europeans have to deal with all of those things and the left wants to impose them all here in the U.S.

    Report Post »  
  • Bonnieblue2A
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:29am

    If you are doing things in public which you fear your photograph may cause legal reprecussions for yourself or shame upon your family then that should be a “clue”.

    If these idiots bent upon violence and destruction would just start a national trend to use cash instead of digital money they could crash the banks in a matter of weeks. Only 3% of money is in the form of actual physical cash. The rest is digital. When we move to a completely digital currency, which I predict will be sooner than later, the banks and the government have complete control.

    Figure it out people! DUmp the credit cards, dump the debit cards, demand cash at the banks and pay with cash.

    Report Post »  
  • sbenard
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:27am

    They’re baaaa-ack!

    And I’m not talking poltergeists, either! But they’re just as demonic!

    Report Post » sbenard  
  • AvengerK
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:21am

    Did you pout and stamp your foot as you typed that drivel MARYELIZABETH? I know..what it is..you‘re bitter and disappointed that OWS’ May Day shennanigans were a fizzle. Well…“tough” sweetie.

    Report Post »  
  • Unix
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:16am

    Poor Mary, your life is an illusion, but please do carry on! Everything was peaceful yesterday, not a shred of glass on the streets, nothing at all. While you are correct the cities are not burning (yet), give it some time, it’s still early in the spring/summer/fall seasons. But you have a nice day ya hear, keep up the hate for Glenn, it becomes you.

    Report Post » Unix  
    • maryanne3935
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:13pm

      out of all the things you could say about Beck, it was him spreading hate! BECK???? are you crazy, Glenn doesn’t do that, you have just shown your ignorance by trying to condemn a man on his own website who is all about peace, love and more importantly TRUTH!!!! you guys know the truth, it is something that liberals need to spin because if the truth is told, they have nothing. Don’t come on the blaze and talk smack about a man who you are not worthy enough to mention h is name in print.

      Report Post »  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:15am

    Admitting that you follow Mr. Becks words in minute detail and remember the same is an endorsement par excellence of his living in your head. Being tethered by positive input is at least hopeful if not outrightly gratifying to the implanteer. Do you agree my dear ?

    Report Post » Rayblue  
  • emal7717
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:06am

    I would have loved to be there! I have some ideas of how to deal with these little darlings…

    Report Post »  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:09am

      Many of those rioters will be in Congress one day. The Woodstock commies are now in Congress.

      Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:22am

      JZS…these are your allies right?

      Report Post »  
  • JWChancey
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:06am

    FYI Blaze – this story is using an old photo fom 2011 ….. ‘FU**ING TUG OF WAR OVER MY CAMERA’: BLACK BLOC OCCUPY PROTESTERS ATTACK PHOTOGRAPHERS IN NYC”. You can see it here from 2011 used on my blog…. http://kansasthinking.blogspot.com/2011/11/americans-are-better-than-this.html

    Report Post » JWChancey  
    • COFemale
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:11pm

      History does repeat itself – get a clue.

      Report Post » COFemale  
    • Latter-Day-Soldier
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:09pm

      That explains the Kalifornia state flag in the top pic since it was originally taken in Oakland.

      Report Post » Latter-Day-Soldier  
  • Fire Them All
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:04am

    It disgust me that the people in this state are now acting like a bunch of thugs. I grew up in Seattle and I am betting that 90% of those in the streets acting like this are imports from other states like California. How I long for the days when Washington was a conservative leaning state.

    Report Post » Fire Them All  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:53am

    Yawn…….zzzzzzzzzzz….. Who cares about these renta-turds ?

    Report Post »  
  • yiska8
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:52am

    Figures. So Reuters photogs got attacked. These are their fellow protestors are they not? These are Obama’s children are they not? Generation Bling are now bored anarchists because their Daddy‘s or Mommy’s hedge fund investments aren’t what they used to be. That‘s why they’re out here doing whatever they want. As for Reuters photog, “Smash the state, not my camera.” You work for the state, stupid!!!! Reuters is STATIST media!! Reuters cuts you a paycheck!! Reuters lives on their knees for Obama and Soros. Now your worthless little comrades are turning on you and you’re surprised??? You all deserve each other.

    Report Post » yiska8  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:39am

    Let the cops clean house on these anarchists and try them in the courts.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • freedom4ever
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:23am

    there are so many thugs in nyc why didn’t the stores hire them?? darn have your thugs beat the crap out of the ones breaking your windows. i can see it now thugs 1 black bloc 0

    Report Post »  
  • Pium Vir
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:18am

    These ignorant, socialist, gimmie-something-for-nothing people wish to use violence and civil discourse to advance their agenda. I am trying to maintain an attitude of optimism in that we can reach out to them and educate them on how democracy, capitalism, and a free market works. However I am rapidly losing patience and reaching the opinion that there is no hope for these “people”. In the end I fear that it will be necessary to use their violence and civil unrest against them. If so, it will be brought hard.

    Report Post » Pium Vir  
  • discus02
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:13am

    Time to open a can of whoop ass! A beat Down is needed!

    Report Post »  
  • MDKing
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:12am

    does anyone remember the G20 summit in Canada where the police dressed in all black was the ones that were doing all the damage to property?? Could these Black Block folks be the police in drag doing the same?

    Report Post » MDKing  
    • barber2
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:25am

      Oh, please. Another Lefty Blame The Cops routine. The old 99% stuff. The Adbusters/ anti-capitalist are from Canada. The black bloc types are masters of deception. Know whom I would suspect…

      Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:11am

    Roaches run for cover when someone turns on the light. Sad to think that our domestic terrorists endanger journalists’ lives when they are working. Another reason why these “ protests” should be only allowed in cordoned off fields. These anarchists / black bloc types are only out to destroy . Let them take out their anger on one another – behind a chain link fence. They deserve each other. And the sucker TAXPAYER deserves a break from paying for them. WAKE UP , CITY OFFICIALS…..

    Report Post »  
  • Listen_then_think
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:09am

    Cops should have tazed or preferrably beat the crap out of every loser who was destroying property. These low life occupy degenerates deserve no less. Stupid tree hugging hippies.

    Report Post »  
  • Athinkerinaseaoflibs
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:08am

    Dear Stephanie: As a red blooded adult male allow me to give you some input as to the proper approach. Kick him in the “pickles “as a 3rd grader told a police officer when the officer was asking their class what to do if a man attempts to pull them into his car. I promise you, if done correctly and with violent intent you will get your camera back. He will recover and if we are lucky, he will not reproduce for the next day or two. All will applaud you Sincerely Thinker…

    Report Post »  
    • Lt_Scrounge
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:14pm

      Don’t just kick him there once, do it repeatedly. Make him wish he had never thought to touch another person’s belongings. Since he didn’t learn that lesson at home or in kindergarten, teaching it to him now must be sufficiently painful for it to stick.

      I guess Mayor Bloomberg’s wonderfully self defense free city is the place to be… if you want to be a thug. Why don’t I see any stories about this kind of crap going on in Phoenix, or even Dallas?

      Report Post »  
  • JP4JOY
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:05am

    Only criminals object to having their pictures taken in public. Maybe the Black Bloc characters need to have their portraits shot in JAIL!!!

    Report Post » JP4JOY  
    • barber2
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:14am

      always be suspicious of people who cover their faces…or hide their records…

      Report Post »  
  • TerryDo
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:02am

    Stephen Keith (photographer) tweeted….“Smash the state not my camera”
    What she doesn’t seem to understand she is part of the state, just like those store owners with the smashed windows are part of the state.
    The detached mental processing, it is o.k. if you smash that window but do not smash my camera, I am not part of ‘your hatred’ of the state and I am not part of ‘your anarchy’

    Report Post »  
  • loriann12
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:01am

    All socialists become fascists when they realize the only way to get what they want will be to force people to change. Mark my words (and I’ve been saying it for over 3 years) I doubt seriously if there will be an election in 2012. Obama is trying hard to fan the flames so he can declare martial law and take over. There is a small law somewhere (don’t remember the wording, but remember reading it) that if the President deems it too dangerous, he can suspend elections for an indefinite time…someone help me out and look it up for me. If I’m proven wrong, with the facts to back it up, I’ll feel better. But I don‘t think I’m wrong.

    Report Post »  
  • sawbuck
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:00am

    When you jump into a cesspool ..Expect to get some STINK on you.

    Report Post » sawbuck  
  • janedough1
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:57am

    There is clearly a method to how they’ve chosen their cities to attack: they are picking those where no one carries, open or concealed. The liberals are eating their own, because they know their own have unilaterally disarmed, and can’t fight back. Try doing this in the “flyover states” and you’ll get you a$$ handed to you. Sad thing is, those in the nanny states won’t even figure out that if they had a gun, this would not only come to a screeching halt, it probably wouldn’t start in the first place. These thugs are cowards, and the proof of that is that they cover their faces.

    Report Post »  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:47am

      Jane

      You have it right on the button. I live in Lincoln, NE. It is a sanctuary city for conservatives. Zip happened here.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
    • happ77
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:10am

      Notice how this only happens in places that don’t allow
      law-abiding citizens to protect themselves or their property
      If every storeowner stood outside with a 12ga things would
      be more peacefull.

      Report Post »  
    • Latter-Day-Soldier
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:19pm

      I read a report that in Rapid City, South Dakota, the ows crowd swelled to a whopping 25 without any incidents of vandalism. Nothing happened there during May Day either.

      Report Post » Latter-Day-Soldier  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:49am

    Remember the Restoring Honor rally? What a contrast.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Fubared
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:04am

      Huge and vast. They will all volunteer to come back for clean up over the weekend. Surely.
      “Smash the state and not my camera”…? What a hag, seems complicit in cause too.

      Report Post »  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:11am

      HAHA I thought they were all about NO POSSESSONS and everyone SHARING? Take from others, NOT from me! :)

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • barber2
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:12am

      I can see another Republican Party capping video ! What a contrast….

      Report Post »  
    • jailpolice
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:20am

      it’s good vs. evil…

      Report Post »  
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