Video Shows NPR Reporter Attacked, Called Gay Slur Outside LA City Hall Amid Anti-Vax Protest Melee – Update

Matt Grobar and Tom Tapp
·3 min read

UPDATED: Video has emerged of Frank Stoltze, the longtime reporter for Pasadena-area National Public Radio outlet KPCC, being attacked outside Los Angeles City Hall on Satuday.

Stoltze was there to cover a “medical freedom” protest that drew many wearing American flag-emblazoned clothes and MAGA hats, as well a counter protesters in all black. A melee ensued, and one man was stabbed. Stoltze said he was threatened, kicked and had his glasses and hat knocked off as he tried to conduct an interview.

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Video posted Monday shows the reporter surrounded by about six protesters, two of whom have red hats, one of whom wears an American flag bandana and another of whom carries a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag.

As Stoltze turns to leave, multiple people are heard yelling, “Get the f*ck out of here.” The words “f*gg&t” and “b$tch” are also uttered as he retreats. Several protesters follow behind him, including one who knocks Stoltze’s hat off his head and another who kicks him from behind. Stoltze said he was also pushed.

Stoltze later tweeted that he had covered many OccupyLA, labor and other protests in exactly the same space for the past 30 years, but something like this has never happened to him. He also noted that the assault took place directly across the street from LAPD headquarters.

PREVIOUSLY on Sunday: A man was stabbed outside Los Angeles City Hall on Saturday, amid a protest against Covid-19 vaccination mandates.

The Los Angeles Police Department took to Twitter to confirm the news, noting that no arrests have been made, but that an investigation into the attack is ongoing.

“LAPD is monitoring a protest at the south lawn of the LA City Hall. We are on scene to maintain order after a fight broke out,” a spokesperson for the Department tweeted at 3:15 p.m. “We are aware of one male that was stabbed and is being treated by LAFD.”

“We made one transport to a hospital (from the demonstrations) but I don’t have any patient condition information,” added Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart.

The “choose freedom march” against mandatory vaccinates, vaccine passports, and what organizers referred to as “medical tyranny” kicked off at City Hall at 2 p.m, and was ultimately declared an unlawful assembly by the LAPD, according to media reports.

Just an hour earlier, an opposing group denouncing anti-vaxxers held a protest at the same venue.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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