An independent journalist was pepper-sprayed in the face while pinned down, raising serious questions about press freedoms under the new administration.
Story Highlights
- An independent photographer was involved in a violent arrest by federal officers during a protest in Minnesota.
- The incident raises concerns about excessive force and violations of press freedoms.
- Federal officers claimed the journalist hindered access despite his neutral observer status.
- Charges are pending against the photographer, with legal and civil rights implications.
Photographer Faces Federal Force at Protest
Independent photographer John Abernathy found himself at the center of a controversial arrest on January 15, 2026, during a protest at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Abernathy, who was documenting the event, was shot with pepper bullets and exposed to tear gas. Despite identifying himself as a neutral observer, he was tackled, pinned down, and pepper-sprayed in the face by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.
The protest, led by veterans opposing a federal immigration crackdown, escalated after agitators wielded pepper spray near federal agents. Abernathy was accused of impeding access, a charge he denies. Instead, he claims he was targeted for his role in documenting the protest, an assertion that aligns with concerns about press freedom violations.
“John Abernathy, a photographer from Minneapolis, was flat on the ground. He had the knees of at least one federal officer on his back…. He was surrounded by dozens of officers deploying something ― tear gas, he thinks ― that made it hard to see or breathe. He felt like he could… pic.twitter.com/MzoQHw9KIv
— Phil Williams (@PhilNvestigates) January 22, 2026
Background of the Incident
The protest was part of a broader reaction to a recent incident where an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026. This event galvanized community protests at the federal building. Abernathy arrived at noon to capture the unfolding events but was caught in the crossfire as tensions between protesters and federal agents escalated.
During the protest, Abernathy disarmed an agitator by tossing away a pepper spray canister. Despite his efforts to remain neutral, federal agents fired on him with crowd-control munitions and accused him of using bear spray—a claim unsupported by evidence, as agents refused to show alleged video proof.
Legal and Civil Rights Implications
Abernathy’s arrest and the use of force against him have sparked outrage among press freedom advocates. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker has condemned the incident as an unnecessary use of force. Abernathy has described the event as a “horrendous violation of civil rights” and is currently dealing with chemical burns and bruises while awaiting further legal proceedings.
While Abernathy has been released, his case underscores the tension between federal actions and journalistic freedoms. The lack of transparency and accountability from the CBP and ICE regarding the incident highlights the broader debate over immigration policies and the treatment of journalists under the current administration.
Sources:
Photographer Arrested, Pepper-Sprayed and Tear-Gassed by Federal Officers
