Los Angeles (May 3, 2007) - On Tuesday, May 1st, 89.3 KPCC News Reporter Patricia Nazario was injured after being assaulted by a member of the Los Angeles Police Department. Ms. Nazario was covering the immigration reform march at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles.

The pro-immigration demonstrations created a significant regional and national news story, and it was important for KPCC, a Southern California Public Radio (SCPR) station, to assign multiple reporters to cover these marches and rallies. In the past year, similar demonstrations have been peaceful, and it was SCPR's expectation that this one would be no different.

"SCPR condemns the violent behavior of the small group of demonstrators that sparked the incident. SCPR appreciates the dangers and difficulties that police face, and we understand the importance of maintaining the public's safety in violent situations such as occurred this week," said SCPR President and CEO Bill Davis. "That said, SCPR condemns – in the strongest possible terms – the assault upon Ms. Nazario by a uniformed member of the LAPD. Ms. Nazario's press badge was clearly visible, and she verbally identified herself as a reporter to the police officer who subsequently hit her."

"SCPR is concerned about the LAPD's policies and procedures in this area. Our concerns extend to whether these policies and procedures are sufficient to guarantee the safety of journalists who report on potentially violent demonstrations," added Davis. "Furthermore, questions remain regarding whether the LAPD's leadership has been effective in communicating these policies and procedures to its rank-and-file officers."

Davis said SCPR is exploring all appropriate responses to this incident to ensure that what happened to Ms. Nazario never happens again.

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