Good morning andnd welcome to te subcommittee as of right and liberties briefing on the First Amendment under attack detailing government bans against civil rights protesters and journalists covering them. Your written testimony will be submitted as a major contribution to public understanding and discourse moment in time. We thank you want to thank a representative Jackie Speier who are not in the subcommittee but have joined us today. The eightminute and 462nd video of his dangling and murder by the officer Derek Chauvin demanded a pair of the broken central contract in america per this Mask Movement touched every state barred city small towns and suburbs is up more than twothirds of American People in Public Opinion polls galvanize the nation promotingat analysis and. Police brutality has been an essential Racial Injustice for centuries which is why many of us are proud we have a bipartisan basis that George Floyd Police at the most comprehensive Police Reform dilma history of the United States of america. The movement against police has ditself led to serious violatios of the First Amendment at the hands of government authorities and involving individual Police Officers but officials at all levels and c local Police Chiefs to the attorney general and president of the United States. This is the focus of her breathing today. Official violence against First Amendment protesters open the channels for political change america but turned the power of the government against the people itself. Unjustified unnecessary and disproportionate government violence if the people attack on democracy itself that demands the immediate and serious response to the peoples representatives in congress. We live in a society where violence in many different ways at dentist thousands of americans every year which is why we passed the universal violent background check legislation and we hope the senate will take it up. Domestic violence affects or than 1 million women people year and we hope the senate will finally take that up too. Violence by ideological extremist groups has victimized hundreds of of americans and westerners including nine africanamericans person or set the mother manual church in Charleston South CarolinaHeather Haier who was murdered in 2017 in Charlottesville Virginia a white supremacist james alex jr. And the tree of life synagogue in pittsburgh at the hands of neonazi Robert Gregory bowers 23 latino persons killed in a racial massacre the walmart in El Paso Texas in 201918 by White Supremacists patrick and so on. In the current wave of protest extremist provocateurs like lulu sought to infiltrate and instigate violence in the rallies held by groups practicing nontraditional violence in the americans of a rights movement. One federal Security OfficerDavid Patrick underwood was killed on may 29 the night of a protest in oakland california. His sister testified in the Administrative Committee on june june 10 although she had not been apprehended because her testimony certain members tried to point the finger at antifa but the fbi caught the actual culprit and charged two men from boogaloo planning a race for the United States one of whom wrote slogans in blood on the hood of his car. Ever kind of violence we see in america is gun violence Domestic Violence white supremacist andom extremist violence but today in this briefing we see her in on the threat of government violence against the American People because of the content and viewpoint of their political speech of their. Assembling their demands for resistance. We focus on at least by the government onio photojournalist related to Police Brutality but we should never use hockground social or extremist violence to normalize the practice of state violence against the people. As Justice Brandeis observed our government is the omnipresent future and teaches the whole people by its example. If it government becomes the lawbreaker breeds contempt for the law despite agreement to become a law of himself. It invites it energy per before i begin my Opening Statement i want to take a moment to play a video of some egregious attacks on protesters that have been caught on camera over the last several weeks. Please go ahead and play the video. [video playing] [video playing] get in, get in. A man got shot by rubber bullet. He was bleeding. I was helping him. I was helpind cutting his pants trying to look at the wound. [chanting] please keep these images inline e in mind as we begin todays briefing i will recognize myself from Opening Statement. People have been asking me what is the most important part of the constitution about Representative Government is a separation of powers and judicial review and these days domestic emolument clauses which prevent government officials theoretically from karting the government into selfenrichment that the truth is american democracy lives and dies by the First Amendment. It is the heart of our constitution. The First Amendment contains six rights and amazingly President Trump and attorney general barr managed to violate every single right in the First Amendment when they assembled a sacred and unidentified paramilitary squad of federal officers unleashed pepper spray, tear gas and rubber bullets on a crowd of peaceful protests. Many of them were mike constituents and attending reporters to get uninvited to the st. Johns Church Episcopal church certainly the most grotesque in the United States waiting waving someone elses bible upside down over his head. This violence in the cartoonist display of Banana Republic tramples on the right to peaceably assemble on the streets and sidewalks without being assaulted and the right to petition your government for grievances without inc. Physically attacked by unidentified federal agents. The right to freedom of speech for direct the free press the free exercise of Religion Without coming to occupy your Church Property and is barring you from access to your own residence and funny the right to establish religion on the bcs to go power which President Trump was trying to do in his inartful way looking at our rich responses from the president of Episcopal Church of washington d. C. Where this act of narcissistic idolatry. S the president trampled the First Amendmentac rights which a lot of religious citizens do take seriously in Lafayette Square its an illustration of the kinds of official abuses of First Amendment rights seen in the Traditional Public Forum of streets and sidewalks and parks thehehe last five weeks since mr. Floyds mu batons and more. And citywide curfews as an excuse for intimidation and violence. And the residence were standing on their own front porches who are Recording Police margins after curfew. In los angeles, police methodically arrested people in a peaceful protest. In washington dc, police, went on to one house and sign three wedding outside all night ready to arrest any protesters who tried to go home. There is been just wasteful violence against protesters. We will there unforgettable testimonies today from two different women. One of the citizen protesting and the other was on the scene. Both of whom were shot in the eye. In two different protest. In two different states. Police hud use own called less than lethale weapons. And they were fired directly at their heads in in the faces and both of these protesters and journalists. 60 people have suffered serious injuries at the hands of police. In at least seven people have lost an eye. The unprovoked brutalities, some of these protesters really know because so many refused to stop exercising the very freedoms that are under attack. The videos captured, exemployees indiscriminately spring terrorists and firing from work bullets. And shoving protesters who are literally rocking with her hands in there. One of the videos, Police Officers showed a 75 yearold protester to the ground conflicting ahead would and leaving himes motionless. In some instances, videos should supporteo the police and attempting to excuse the work of misconduct. Frees press, has been targeted. The cnn news group was arrested live in here. Cameras were pulled out of the hands of reporters. In kentucky, news crews, were brutalized with Police Shields as they live streamed. The president has encouraged this authority in authoritarian response. Millions of Peaceful Protesters, agitators looters and lowlifes. He consistently places blame on protesters and going and so far as to say that 75 yearold victim, and in production tour pretty yet anotherab revealing statement on the president ial imagination is repeatedly taunted and threatening protesters. And for the officers to get tough with them. And rhetorical kerosene on the fire. And describes them as enemies of the people. Any cause any unflattering reports, fake news. The free press and reporters are not the enemies. If they are the peoples best friend. Those who need to be there on governors, must on themselves, to have the power. And if he were to choosing the government without newspaper or newspaper without a government, i would not hesitate a moment to choose the latter. This president and those officials that follow him, have been at war with the First Amendment. And wide open, and headed. In public debate, allows the protest, controversy and democratic engagement. Destruction of the Civil Liberties is the road to authoritarianism. The people in history to moved past the breonn George Floyds,e not the enemies of the people. They are the people. In the american democracy, the constitution is the future all the loans to the, not in the government not less not to one person who occupies one public office. This protect the First Amendment rights of the people with everything weve got. Before i turn this over to mr. Jordan, this time, an attack on the press. Please plate the video. [background sounds]. [background sounds]. Are you okay or your cameramen. I was taking a photo and then this exploded. I realize i got hit in the face with something. It was too much, could not see. I just close my eyes and started talking to the press. See walkway. Im sorry. Why might under arrest sir. Why might under arrest. Were going to end up in a place, you don not want to be here. [background sounds]. Move out of there as quickly as you can. Are you okay. Rubber bullets, rubber bullets. Like directly at us. Why are they doing that. Do they not know, can they see thecr camera. [background sounds]. Many americans are horrified by the scenes of violence being played out on the streets of the United States. I now recognize mr. Jordan. I wish we could have been able to use the video that you just referenced. Your office definitely hasnt ands available to you. It would be nice to actually see what youre putting out there for folks to see. I think the chairman. Look, and the opening coming talked about the First Amendment. He talks about the rights being trampled. For the past several months, the governors to the market citizens, you cant go to church you cant open your business, you cant get a gun, get go to your best friends funeral. We sawra that somehow the mayorf news york city early may, nine protesters to reopen from the coronavirus lockdown. They were down by the city hall. They said my message to the jewish committee, is a symbol. The time for morning has passed. I told the nypd to arrest those who gather in large groups. And oh how that changed. He went from not allowing any kind of gathering, not even 20 people are hundred people are thousand people, and is later during the protest, i want to see the light. There is more than a light touch. Mr. Jordan ne we had the mayor f los angeles, he ordered, to shut off utilities grade if they opened the business. You try to give somebody a haircut, they will cut off your water. He punished skaters by throwing sand. And he rested people going to the beach. And yes, during the process, a month later, he knelt down while the protesters were shouting defend the police. And as we know, he was not wearing a mask. And the mayor of minneapolis. A few months ago said there would be a public but then he said encouraged people to exercise caution when demonstrating and wearing a mask as much as possible. So how things have changed. That is my concern did unequal treatment under the laws. This is supposed to work at weiner country. The 20 general said a few months ago, the constitution is not suspended during a crisis and yet the actions that we have seen from so many of these individuals, democratic mayors and governors, during the coronavirus, prohibiting them from operating with their livelihoods and exercising their First Amendment liberties. For charge and firearms and he was going to ones funeral. And when he came to the protest. An entirely different story. That is my concern. And lets hear from our witness. Interesting democrats without the press statement dates included there witnesses but not the witnesses that we invited. Which is highly unusual. We look forward to hearing from the experiences dealing with the terrorist organization and threatened him numerous times. With that mr. Chairman a look forward to hearing from others. Host first we have linda was a freelance journalist. F an x we have a freelance journalist from new jersey. Next we have timmy go of the radcliffe from harvard. In next latoya, an activist. Next andy, editor purpose millennial was invited to the minority and last, but not least, the reverend. I would like to note several of our witnesses are coming by counsel today. In the council may intercede. The man answered the question. Another is an Outstanding Litigation and some of the cases that we will be discussing today. And identify yourself before speaking. And without, will turn to ms. Toronto. Due to her injury she may close her eyes about her head but she will still be able to fully participate answer our questions. We are extremely grateful to you for joining us today for speaking out against your experience. You are now recognize for your five minutes. Mr. Chairman and mr. Ranking member, today marks the one month anniversary of thehe last time i woke up with site in both of my eyes. Tomorrow will be the one month anniversary of the morning i woke up in hospital and doctors informeded me that had been blinded in one eye. In minneapolis, fewer than 48 hours. My name is linda. And i am a journalist freedom erector, tempera photographer and a published author. Ive gathered and uncovered civil unrest in america since 2014 in my work on this issue is taken me from chicago to washington dc to the mountain and wildlife refuge to finally to minneapolis. Im in a bear witness to my own experience. I went to minneapolis because i expected that George Floyds death would an inch arrived on thursday it was out on the street and taking photos until 4 00 a. M. On friday may 29, i went out about 8 00 p. M. It was the first night with a curfew. In the press had exempted from that so that we can do our jobs. I was wearing my usual the situations. A tshirt and a pair of shorts with a lot of pockets. I had a backpack and or my press conventional conspicuous leslie on my lantern around the neck. I was very might reporters notebook. In my recorder. I was also holding my professional grade nikon camera flash. Y protesters impelled it immediately that i was working. They asked me more than once it was working with. Protesters had no trouble identifying me as a journalist. As i have learned from covering other mass protests, these type of events have a similar patterns no matter where you go. Police push protesters back. Protesters retreat a few blocks and that is certain talk settles and on both sides while everyone waits to see what will happen next. I arrived during one of those. I took pictures of the police line. Because it is my job to try to explain to the public what is happening on the street. On may 29th, when i hear from protesters that police were deploying to grass nearby where i was. My goggles and respirator and headed towards the precinct. I would like to share some of the pictures i took that line. They show clearly when i saw. Heres one of my photographs showing the police during one of the moments i cried. There holding the line. The photos that im going to show now were month last pictures i took with my camera on friday night. I took these in the no mans land between gleason protesters. It is not uncommon for the press to be in that space particularly f