A viral video shows Danish police deliberately attacking two journalists with batons. The press photographers wanted to document anti-migrant protests, in which numerous neo-Nazis once again took part. Leading Danish journalists speak of an “attack on press freedom” and are calling for legal consequences.

On one on social mediadistributed videoYou can see two Danish police officers hitting two press photographers with batons. One of the two journalists fell to the ground as a result of the beating; the video itself had previously been distributed by the Turkish news channel TRT World.

The photographers themselves reported on-site anti-migrant protests. In the clip you can see how the Danish police try to push anti-fascist demonstrators back from the event.

Anti-immigrant movement with large neo-Nazi participation

The organizers of the right-wing radical movement “Det Dansk Folk” (The Danish People) mobilized on Saturday, October 17th in Copenhagen for a demonstration for so-called “remigration”. The protest, which began at 2 p.m., was accompanied by participants with banners and signs. Slogans such as “fair and realistic remigration” and “against National Socialism, Communism and Islamization” could be seen in the demonstration.

An estimated 1,400 people took part in the demonstration. The anti-fascist oneResearch collective RedoxAccording to the statement, the protest was the “largest right-wing extremist demonstration in Denmark since the Second World War.” As with the “Det Dansk Folk” protests in September, numerous neo-Nazis took part in the protests this time too. Speeches called for isolating “Muslims on islands,” and another participant apparently chanted the Hitler salute.

European fascists are regrouping

The demonstration was accompanied by anti-fascist counter-protests. These were supported, among others, by a non-governmental organization called Mino Danmark, which advocates for social participation and the voices of Danish citizens from ethnic minority backgrounds. The organization has a particular focus on the younger generation, particularly the descendants of immigrants.

Other organizations such as “Network for Diversity” took part in the protest and a large anti-fascist counter-response emerged over the course of the afternoon. In the course of this, the Copenhagen police used batons and pepper spray to push back groups and arrest people. At least eight people were briefly arrested.

Physical attack on journalists – photographer has to go to hospital

As a result, two journalists were physically attacked. According to eyewitnesses and video footage, a press photographer (Thomas Borberg) from the leading daily Politiken stood on a wall at Højbro Square away from the event to document the situation. Despite his professional camera equipment, he was hit several times with a baton by officers.

His camera was completely smashed and he had to be treated in a hospital emergency room. According to the Politics editor-in-chief, video recordings show that Borberg was already about to leave when the final blow was struck.

Reporters Without Borders: Report shows increasing restrictions on press freedom worldwide

Anthon Unger, the other injured journalist, is also a press photographer. He reports for the Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladet. He was also deliberately hit on the arm with a baton. According to the editor-in-chief of Ekstra Bladet, video footage clearly shows that the attacking police officer must have registered the photographer's camera and his visible press badge before striking. In an interview with the online news portal NordiskPost, Anthon Unger said:“I cannot see it as anything other than an attempt by the police to prevent the press from doing their legitimate work”.

Journalists demand legal consequences

Christian Jensen, editor-in-chief of Politics, condemned the incident as a “serious attack on press freedom.” He emphasized that it is the democratic task of the media to also document the exercise of state power. The police should not make the press their enemy.

Both newspapers filed formal complaints. The Copenhagen police pointed out how difficult such confusing operations were, but due to public pressure and available video recordings, they immediately handed the case over to the Independent Investigative Authority (DUP). Denmark currently ranks fourth out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' press freedom rankings.

The postDenmark: Police attack press photographers during anti-migrant protestsappeared firstperspective.