Freelance Reporter Sues Police Over Arrest During Protest Coverage

Freelance reporter John Hendren has filed a lawsuit against Georgia State University police officers following his arrest while covering a protest against the construction of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, commonly referred to as "Cop City." On July 29, 2022, Hendren, working for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, arrived at the scene after hearing police activity over the radio. He began photographing the arrests of protesters from a public sidewalk, asserting that he did not engage in any illegal activity. According to the lawsuit, Hendren was arrested despite his compliance and even offered to let officers speak with his editor. The suit claims that officers forcibly photographed him while he was handcuffed and sitting on the curb, with allegations that they yanked his hair to position him for the photos. Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that officers encouraged employees from Brasfield & Gorrie, the construction firm involved, to make false statements about Hendren's actions, leading to a misleading police report that mischaracterized him as a protestor. Hendren's legal action contends that his First Amendment rights were violated, as courts have upheld the right to photograph police activity without interference. The lawsuit emphasizes that his arrest was a direct retaliation for exercising this right, highlighting the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and media coverage of protests. After being detained for over seven hours, Hendren seeks accountability for what he describes as a gross violation of his constitutional rights.