03.06.2020
2 min read

Sunrise reporter Amelia Brace speaks after “terrifying” on-air police assault

‘Bit worse for wear’: Seven’s Amelia Brace has revealed the injuries she and cameraman Tim Myers suffered in an attack by police live on air.
Hamish GoodallBy Hamish Goodall

Amelia Brace Recounts Police Attack

An Australian journalist assaulted by police while covering riots in the United States has spoken about the ordeal.

7NEWS US Correspondent Amelia Brace was belted with a baton and her cameraman Tim Myers was struck in the chest LIVE on Sunrise near the White House on Tuesday morning AEST.

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Disturbing video of the incident has gone viral, gaining millions of views on social media and making international headlines.

Brace recounted the ordeal and shared her thoughts on the incident as she returned to cover the riots for Sunrise the next day.

“It was an absolutely terrifying experience,” she explained.

“We’re definitely a bit worse for wear today.

“I can feel it across my shoulders where I was whacked with that baton and we’ve got welts from the rubber bullets.

“It’s similar to if you were shot too closely with a paintball gun.”

Riot police officers attacked Brace and her cameraman, even after she identified herself as “media” Credit: Channel Seven

Brace says she was “disappointed” to learn the police had aggressively moved in to clear the way for President Trump before he posed for photos outside a nearby church.

“It’s not just about the media and the fact we were attacked while doing our job, but it was the fact that it was before curfew, so every single person at that protest had a legal right to be there,” she explained.

“To see people tear gassed to make way for a photo opportunity for the President is outrageous.”

“This is not the United States that I know, this is a police state, this is martial law.”

“To see civilians treated like that is really, really upsetting.”

What Happens Now?

Prime Minister Scott Morrison described the incident as ‘troubling’ on Tuesday and demanded the Australian Embassy in Washington, DC, investigate the incident.

United States Ambassador to Australia Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr, who is also a lawyer, responded by posting the following response on Twitter.

“Freedom of the press is a right Australians and Americans hold dear,” the brief statement read.

“We take mistreatment of journalists seriously, as do all who take democracy seriously.”

Sunrise Foreign Editor Dr Keith Suter believes it’s “unlikely” any further action will be taken.

“I think there might be an apology coming to Channel 7, the US Ambassador is clearly embarrassed, but I don’t think there will be disciplinary action against the individuals involved,” he said.

Watch the full interview below

Sunrise Foreign Editor Dr Keith Suter discusses the police attack on an Australian journalist and her cameraman in the United States.

Sunrise Foreign Editor Dr Keith Suter discusses the police attack on an Australian journalist and her cameraman in the United States.

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