Over the past weekend, a "No Kings Day" rally that began peacefully in downtown Los Angeles escalated when protesters clashed with law enforcement, resulting in multiple injuries on both sides. One of the injured, Marshall Woodruff, a 28-year-old photographer, was struck in the eye with a rubber bullet fired by LAPD officers. Woodruff is now in Los Angeles General Medical Center, and according to a KABC Television interview, a bullet fractured his cheek and tore part of his eye, necessitating a four-hour surgery. He expressed uncertainty regarding the return of his vision, saying, "Right now, it's just a giant question mark."
The incident occurred amid a large demonstration against President Donald Trump's policies, with approximately 30,000 attendees. Tensions rose after the LAPD declared an unlawful assembly, following reports of officers being assaulted with bottles and bricks. Woodruff, who says he was unaware of the notice to disperse, told NBC Los Angeles, "They came in with horses and people almost got trampled." He also recounted the rapid firing of rubber bullets, likening it to "fireworks being rapidly shot off."
Fellow protester Christopher Fernandez, a registered nurse who was also injured by a projectile while providing medical assistance, detailed his shock during a KTLA interview, stating, "How are you going to shoot me? I was surprised." Fernandez sustained a severe leg wound and was treated in the emergency room. Woodruff also struggled to reconcile his experience with the role of the police, telling KTLA, "I find it ironic that their motto is to protect and serve. It doesn't seem like they were doing that."
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help cover Woodruff's medical bills, as reported by friends Jazz Egger and Gavin Prophet, who have been assisting him during his hospital stay. The details for the fundraiser can be found on the page linked within the KABC Television article. The LAPD has yet to comment on the specifics of the injuries suffered by civilians, but confirmed that three officers were hurt during the Saturday protest, as mentioned in the NBC Los Angeles coverage.
