A conservative journalist, Savana Hernandez, was attacked while covering an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis. She expressed determination to seek justice for the assailants and emphasized that such violence poses a significant threat to free speech.
“This isn’t a right-wing issue,” Hernandez stated. “These are just violent extremists who have been allowed to act unlawfully for too long.” On April 11, during her coverage outside the Whipple Federal Building, protesters recognized her association with Turning Point USA, a conservative organization.
Hernandez asserted she was merely there to observe and record events, but the atmosphere quickly turned hostile. A man named William Kelly began aggressively shouting at her, attracting more attention from the crowd. Kelly, known online as DaWokeFarmer, has participated in similar protests nationwide and has faced allegations related to an attack on a church in St. Paul earlier this year.
Afterward, Kelly claimed in a video that his actions were simply an expression of his First Amendment rights. Hernandez described how protesters shouted obscenities and approached her with inappropriate items as she tried to fend them off.
She recounted incidents where local activist Christopher Ostroshko pushed her down from behind while his daughter Paige Ostroshko blew a whistle near her ear. Despite her repeated attempts to exit the situation, she felt increasingly threatened.
Hernandez estimated she was attacked multiple times and was eventually escorted by police to safety, suffering only minor injuries. She found the aggressive behavior particularly unsettling, blending the urgency of the protests with an unspoken rule regarding the treatment of women.
“I think there’s a basic expectation that men won’t assault an unarmed woman,” she noted, highlighting a troubling shift in behavior. This wasn’t her first experience with violence during protests, and moving forward, she plans to have security with her.
“The left fuels a culture of violence, suppressing dissenting voices,” she pointed out, asserting that this situation exemplifies an attack on First Amendment rights. “These extremists believe they can operate without consequence.”
Hernandez called for accountability, not only for herself but for all journalists. “I want full charges pressed against everyone involved,” she asserted. “This goes beyond politics; it’s about stopping crime from being recorded.”
The FBI has opened an investigation into Hernandez’s assault, and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it is actively pursuing charges against several individuals connected to the incident.
The County Attorney’s Office is currently reviewing case filings related to the assault, with more developments anticipated. Attempts have been made to reach those involved for their comments.
