Reynolds was inside the Capitol when chaos ensued. “I looked down the hall towards the Rotunda and saw a crowd of people rushing around, shouting and pulling at a podium,” she wrote in her account. “I quickly snapped a series of photos before heading to the ceremonial doors, where I found a lone police officer trying to hold back a massive crowd outside.”
As rioters surged past the officer, Reynolds fled upstairs for safety. Unfortunately, she was confronted by a group of men who demanded to know her affiliation. “They grabbed my press pass and saw it was from The New York Times, and their anger escalated,” she recalled. “They threw me to the ground, attempting to seize my cameras. I screamed for help, but no one intervened. I genuinely believed I might not make it out alive.”
After the assailants managed to snatch one of her cameras and damage another, Reynolds found herself vulnerable and indistinguishable from the rioters. In a panic, she navigated the chaotic halls, witnessing the destruction of government property. Reaching the balcony outside Speaker Pelosi’s office, she overheard a man nearby proclaim, “This is the beginning of a civil war.” As pepper spray filled the air, she sought refuge.
When Capitol police finally found her, they were skeptical of her claims. “I told them I was a photojournalist and that my press pass had been stolen, but they didn’t believe me,” she described. The officers drew their weapons and ordered her to the ground. It wasn’t until two other journalists shouted, “She’s a journalist!” that the police finally assisted them in finding safety. In a heartbreaking moment, Reynolds reflected on the kindness shown by her fellow photographers, who held her hands and reassured her that she was not alone.
Another photographer, Max Turner from the Associated Press, faced a similar ordeal, as he was violently assaulted by the mob outside the Capitol.
The FBI is currently seeking information to identify those responsible for this horrific attack on the Capitol.
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In summary, Ava Reynolds’ harrowing experience at the Capitol highlights the dangers faced by journalists in times of unrest. Her story underscores the importance of safeguarding press freedom and the courage shown by those who stand by their fellow journalists in perilous situations.