A photographer for the New York Times recently shared a harrowing account of her experience during the Capitol riot on January 6. Erin Blake was at the Capitol to document the certification of Joe Biden’s election when chaos erupted as a mob of Trump supporters stormed the building.
As the situation escalated, Erin witnessed a chaotic scene, with people yelling and scrambling around the Rotunda. She attempted to take photos but soon found herself in a precarious situation when rioters confronted her.
“They grabbed my press pass and when they saw it said The New York Times, they became enraged,” Erin recounted. “They threw me to the ground and tried to snatch my cameras. I screamed for help, but no one intervened. In that moment, I feared for my life.”
After losing her press credentials, Erin became indistinguishable from the rioters. She fled through the halls, witnessing destruction and vandalism along the way. When she reached the balcony outside Speaker Pelosi’s office, a man nearby ominously declared, “This will be the start of a civil war revolution.”
In the chaos, police began using pepper spray, prompting Erin to seek safety. Unfortunately, when she encountered Capitol police, they drew their weapons and ordered her to the ground. “I told them I was a photojournalist and that my pass had been stolen, but they didn’t believe me,” Erin said. Fortunately, two other journalists arrived and advocated for her, allowing police to escort them to safety.
Another photographer, Mark Daniels from the Associated Press, also faced violence outside the Capitol as rioters targeted him. The FBI is currently seeking information on individuals involved in the attack.
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Summary:
Erin Blake, a photographer for the New York Times, shared her terrifying experience during the Capitol riot on January 6. She was assaulted by rioters after they stole her press pass and confronted by Capitol police, who initially did not believe she was a journalist. With the help of fellow reporters, she was eventually escorted to safety.
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