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A reporter was attacked outside of a Trump campaign rally in Duluth, Minnesota on Wednesday by a Trump supporter. The victim, photojournalist Dymanh Chhoun on assignment for WCCO-TV a local CBS affiliate, was using a phone to capture video of demonstrators who had gathered ahead of the rally.
Chhoun had identified himself as press before the assault. Thankfully, he was not injured during the violent outburst.
The attacker—who appeared to have punched a cellphone out of the photojournalist's hands—has yet to be publicly identified but can be seen clearly in the video.
I am outraged by this violent attack on my @wcco colleague,friend &photojournalist @Dymanh in Duluth- I am so thankful he was not hurt. The venom must stop, our photojournalists are our truest storytellers &this video tells an important,sad & terrifying one. Thx Dymanh pic.twitter.com/9caREau3HS
— esme murphy (@esmemurphy) October 1, 2020
Trump is complicit in this attack. His comments at the rally that denigrated and insulted immigrants set in motion the assault of an immigrant who is just as much a citizen (if not more) than the deplorable that assaulted him. MN is a better place because of immigrants.
— Michael E. (@MnMike55408) October 1, 2020
Oh my God, Esme! This is horrible! I am disgusted! I pray for @Dymanh
and send much love his way. ❤️
— AutismMomisms (@AutismMomisms) October 1, 2020
I'm so glad @Dymanh was not hurt. He really is one of the nicest photojournalists I've ever competed against. Brings a big smile every day.
— Adam Jukkola (@Jukkaloop) October 1, 2020
Thank you Dymanh. Your commitment and contribution are greatly appreciated, especially by folks like me at a distance. You help provide us eyes and ears to truth.
— Paul Rodgers (@real_attentive) October 1, 2020
The attacker can be heard in the video shouting before the assault.
He said:
"You guys want to be peaceful? Be peaceful! You want to be violent? Come to me and I'll…"
The unnamed man then punched at Chhoun before storming off still ranting:
"You wanna be violent? You wanna be violent?"
Bit of a paradox asking that when you are the one being violent, sir.
A fellow Trump supporter attempted to obscure the view of the still filming camera with a Trump/Pence sign as the assailant got away into the crowd.
The Duluth police said they're investigating the disturbance and issued a statement saying:
"A male reported that while recording footage on his phone for a news report, another male hit the phone out of the reporting party's hand,"
"The male who hit the phone left without incident several minutes before this event was reported to officers. There were no injuries or property damage reported in connection with this incident and no citations issued at this time. The Duluth Police Department is investigating this case."
Guy Still, the assignment manager for WCCO-TV, shared some of Mr. Chhoun's personal story and his dedication to both work and family.
Thread 1/6: By now you've probably seen that @WCCO photojournalist @Dymanh was attacked by this knucklehead Wednesday in Duluth, covering activity near a campaign rally for President Trump.
I was the one who assigned him to this story & he agreed without hesitation, as always. pic.twitter.com/3LH4pViz1t
— Guy Still (@mplstvguy) October 1, 2020
2/6: He is my colleague and my friend. But, more that, he is one of the many @wccophotogs and reporters who put their health and safety at risk every day in order to tell stories which are important to the community.
But, his story is exceptional… pic.twitter.com/f3nkAre2wi
— Guy Still (@mplstvguy) October 1, 2020
3/6: Dymanh was born in a Thai refugee camp, after his family fled their homeland of Cambodia in search of food and stability.
When he arrived in MN he endured bullying and racism, often getting suspended for fighting.
He endured, earned his citizenship & graduated college. pic.twitter.com/xNF1qrUkhn
— Guy Still (@mplstvguy) October 1, 2020
4/6: Today, when there is breaking news, or a chaotic situation, he is often the first to volunteer to get into the heart of the action. He does this not for glory or notoriety, but out of a sense of duty and a commitment to share the stories which are challenging to cover. pic.twitter.com/4QtTE5QwPr
— Guy Still (@mplstvguy) October 1, 2020
5/6: Riots, storms, pandemic, protests, you name it: Dymanh is there, right in the heart of the action.
But, know this: He's not some yahoo operating without regard for his safety. He's got a wife and young kids at home who mean the world to him. pic.twitter.com/ru9ndLdGNB
— Guy Still (@mplstvguy) October 1, 2020
6/6: He's also done family photos for me & others, and is just as much at home making kids smile as he is de-escalating tense situations.
I take personal exception when anyone puts my guy in danger.
You want to see a true American patriot? Look no further. Thank you Dymanh. pic.twitter.com/Mj7BIAHtTN
— Guy Still (@mplstvguy) October 1, 2020
Other social media users expressed their thanks and support for the photojournalist.
Good for you for having his back. Journalism matters.
— Shane Bishop (@shanebishop) October 1, 2020
Dymanh, you are an amazing individual. Please keep your head high and strong. There are a lot more people that back you then who back that knucklehead who attacked you. I sincerely thank you for all your hard work and it truly means a lot to me and my family and Minnesotans. pic.twitter.com/PJUtThxPRG
— Matthew Nelson (@ndsubeardbison) October 1, 2020
The attacker is a prime example of what Trump is fueling in his supporters.
To learn that the photographer is not white makes the attack even more exemplary of the white supremacy Trump espouses.
— Cindy AveLallemant (@Cindyjoave) October 1, 2020
Donald Trump has consistently encouraged anger and attacks on journalists throughout his campaign referring to them as the "enemy of the people."
There have been multiple incidents over the last four years of these assaults.
Just two weeks ago at a Pennsylvania rally Trump praised violence against the press calling it "a beautiful site." Is it any wonder his supporters feel so comfortable in their attacks?
As verbal and physical attacks on journalists have increased, so has awareness of how important a free press and journalism are to our democracy.
The First Amendment provides the right for both partisans and protestors to freely assemble. It also protects journalists covering political events and protests. It is critical to democracy that Dymanh Chhoun @WCCO & others be able to report without fear, threat, or attack.
— Dr. Elisia Cohen (@ECohen_UMN) October 1, 2020
Thank you for your service. People often say that just to soldiers but peaceful protesters are patriots, journalist are also an important part of our democracy. Without these first amendment people we would not have a democracy.
— Nancy Pignataro (@nancy_pignataro) October 1, 2020
This is outrageous. Maintaining a free press is the cornerstone of a democratic society.
— Imam Asad Zaman (@ImamAsadZaman) October 1, 2020
@DuluthMNPolice@ChiefTusken I hope you are pursuing this. Freedom of press should not be suppressed.
— Chris Russom (@Clr1957) October 1, 2020
Thank you Dymanh. Your commitment and contribution are greatly appreciated, especially by folks like me at a distance. You help provide us eyes and ears to truth.
— Paul Rodgers (@real_attentive) October 1, 2020
The White House has as yet not commented on the latest attack against a member of the press at a Trump event.