Cam Higby, a journalist covering an anti-ICE protest in Chicago, encountered a hostile crowd that demanded his silence in a striking display of aggressive intimidation. As he attempted to conduct interviews, the mob aimed mocking chants at him, even calling him “Temu Charlie Kirk.” The tension escalated when a woman approached him, gesturing a finger gun to his neck—a brazen threat that highlighted the danger he faced simply for reporting on the conflict.
Reflecting on his experience, Higby shared that threats of violence during his work are not uncommon. He posted a chilling commentary on social media, stating, “Peaceful protestors casually threatening to kill me during a media interview in Chicago.” This posting captures the alarming reality for journalists who step into volatile situations to provide on-the-ground coverage. Another protestor approached Higby to warn him, “Go home. Please, for your safety, go home.” Yet, rather than retreating, he pressed on with his coverage.
Later, at the White House’s Antifa roundtable, Higby laid bare his experiences to lawmakers and media representatives. His testimony was a striking indictment of the media’s portrayal of protest violence. “When I leave my house to go to work, I’m violently assaulted,” he revealed, recounting the extremes he often faces: “I’ve had guns pulled on me, I’ve been bear-sprayed, I’ve been beaten down, I’ve been almost killed.” The gravity in his voice underscored a serious issue that often remains obscured.
Higby’s remarks turned pointed as he directly confronted the media professionals attending the roundtable. He asked, “So, my question for all of you…how would you feel if every time you showed up to work, masked militants tried to kill you?” This rhetorical question encapsulated the frustration of journalists like Higby, who risk their safety for the sake of truth and an informed public.
He called out the disconnect between frontline realities and media narratives, emphasizing, “You go and tell us we’re ‘liars,’ ‘the riots aren’t that bad,’ right? I’ve never seen any of you guys on the ground.” This stark observation reveals the divide between those who report from the heart of chaos and those who write from the safety of their offices. Higby challenged the prevailing narratives, urging the media to recognize the risks taken by journalists working in hostile environments: “Stop saying we’re lying. We’re not. We risk our lives every day to do the job you guys are too afraid to do.”
His bold stance at the roundtable not only highlights the stakes for journalists but also underlines a critical conversation regarding the responsibility of the media. Higby’s experiences and his subsequent revelations provoke important questions about how protest violence is reported and perceived. His plight is emblematic of the challenges faced by those who choose to document these often dangerous realities, calling into question the narratives crafted by those who do not experience the dangers firsthand.
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