Video journalist Brandon Gutenschwager, who regularly films Antifa protests around the country, was attacked at least twice while filming an “anti-eviction March in Detroit” moments ago. He was hit physically, had his camera nearly stolen, and put against a wall by an Antifa “security” person.
“Just got assaulted attempting to cover an anti-eviction march in Detroit this afternoon,” wrote Gutenschwager. “A member of the protest ‘security’ ran up, grabbed my camera, and forced me against a building.”
The video shows the plaid wearing security person walk away from the crowd and toward Gutenschwager. The camera cuts out at least twice during the attack, and the plaid wearing security person’s hand is the last thing seen before the video stops. An Antifa pin could be seen on the plaid wearing person’s shirt.
Just got assaulted attempting to cover an anti-eviction march in Detroit this afternoon. A member of the protest ‘security’ ran up, grabbed my camera and forced me against a building #Detroit #DetroitProtests pic.twitter.com/OL9lyKEcHk
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) April 10, 2021
“A man wearing an Antifa pin committed the first assault during the march. Camera stopped a few times while he attempted to steal it,” wrote Gutenschwager. “Eventually, others in the group urged him aside to release me from against the building.”
The altercation ended when a masked man in a red sweater escorted the security person away from Gutenschwager. However, another altercation happened almost immediately, when another Antifa member identifying himself as press again attempted to grab Gutenschwager’s camera.
“It’s time for you to leave,” said the person. “It doesn’t fucking matter, you’re not welcome here, you’re not welcome here,” as he grabbed for Gutenschwager’s camera. The man in the red sweater again ended the altercation by separating the men.
“You’re not f***ing welcome here.” A man wearing a Press patch then accosts me and tries to force me to leave, as the crowd marched through Greektown in Detroit #Detroit #DetroitProtests pic.twitter.com/fIX7iAxM7L
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) April 10, 2021
Antifa members are protesting police involvement in evictions, according to local media. “Multiple women who say they’ve been illegally evicted by their landlords with Detroit police offers will give speeches,” one outlet reported. “Representatives with the Detroit Police Department said their policy is for officers to not assist landlords in evictions. However, activists are saying that has happened repeatedly over the years.”
