A local TV reporter in Los Angeles questioned whether the city’s violent unrest qualified as rioting – even as a fire burned behind him live on the air.
ABC7 reporter Tim Caputo insisted that the ‘vast majority’ of protestors involved in the demonstrations were ‘people taking videos [and] people waving flags’ during his one-the-ground report.
He made the remarks as black smoke billowed into the air behind him and a loud explosion could be heard in the distance.
During the segment, ABC7 anchor Jory Rand asked whether those responsible for torching five vehicles were ‘a group that splintered off,’ ‘mak[ing] it look like it’s a lot worse than the situation actually playing out on the ground.’
‘That’s the quintessential question when you have rallies, demonstrations, riots, if you will,’ Caputo replied.
‘I wouldn’t go as far to call it that. I know president Trump had tweeted about riots and looting – I don’t know that I would characterize it that way.’
As the broadcast showed aerial images of cars on fire, Caputo directed his cameraman away from rising smoke.
‘From what we’ve seen… the vast majority are people taking videos, people waving flags, people walking around, people wanting to be part of the cause, wanting to have their voices heard, and wanting to show the power of numbers and the power of force,’ the reporter said.
Hellbound and Down 