AFP photojournalist injured by rubber bullet during protest standoff in Los Angeles.

 LOS ANGELES, June 17 — An Agence France-Presse (AFP) photographer is recovering after being struck in the face by a rubber bullet fired by law enforcement during a standoff with protesters in downtown Los Angeles.

The incident occurred on Saturday as the photographer was covering one of many nationwide demonstrations opposing President Donald Trump’s policies.

According to the journalist, he was hit twice—once in the face and once in the right arm—when authorities suddenly advanced to disperse the crowd. He received hospital treatment for his injuries.

“I was about 90 feet from the police line when a rubber bullet hit my face and another struck my arm,” he said.

Wishing to remain unnamed, the photographer stated he was clearly marked as press, wearing a helmet with AFP labels and a large “Press” patch on his chest while carrying two cameras.

The Los Angeles Police Department did not directly acknowledge firing at the photographer but said it used less-lethal munitions after declaring the assembly unlawful.

“After issuing the dispersal order, less-lethal munitions were deployed against individuals who refused to leave,” LAPD said in a statement to AFP.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, also involved in policing the protest, said it was reviewing available footage but could not confirm if its officers were responsible.

"The LASD does not support any deliberate targeting of journalists," the department said.

Saturday’s rally was the largest among the protests that have taken place daily in Los Angeles since June 6. The unrest began following Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids ordered by the Trump administration targeting undocumented migrants in the city’s largely Latino neighborhoods.

While most demonstrations have remained peaceful and localized to a small area of downtown, some have escalated into violence. President Trump has responded by deploying 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to the city—a decision strongly opposed by local leaders.

Other members of the press have also been injured. The Guardian reported a British photojournalist required emergency surgery after being shot in the leg with a non-lethal round on June 7. On June 8, an Australian TV reporter was hit in the leg by a rubber bullet while broadcasting live—an incident condemned by Australia’s prime minister as “horrific.” That same day, The New York Post reported one of its photographers was shot in the head with a rubber bullet during clashes. — AFP