Protections for journalists still under fire

Despite City Council’s stance, Feldstein Soto continues to push for appeal of injunction.

- BY NOAH GOLDBERG

CARLIN STIEHL For The Times L.A. CITY ATTY. Hydee Feldstein Soto is pushing back on an order prohibiting LAPD officers from targeting journalists with crowd control weapons.

How do you spot a journalist?

The question lies at the center of a legal battle between Los Angeles City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto and the Los Angeles Press Club, as well as a political battle between Feldstein Soto and the City Council.

Last month council members called on her to give up her opposition to a federal judge's order prohibiting Los Angeles Police Department officers from targeting journalists with crowd control weapons.

According to the press club, dozens of journalists were excluded from public areas or attacked by police during chaotic summer protests against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Despite the slap-down by the council, Feldstein Soto hopes to press forward. Last week, in a confidential attorney-client memo shared with The Times by a source, she emphasized to the council why she still wants to appeal the judge's preliminary injunction, which she says makes virtually anyone a journalist.