Many of us can’t forget the moment. I know I haven’t. Federal agents tackled and pepper sprayed photographer John Abernathy in Minnesota earlier this year. On the ground, John threw his camera to a colleague in a desperate attempt to save his images from being confiscated or even destroyed. Innocent people in protests had already been shot dead. Who knew what could happen next?
Photojournalist Pierre Lavie responded. He safeguarded not only John’s camera but also his phone. I had a chance to speak with them both, with permission to share their story and picture here.
Beyond their solidarity in bearing witness, what grips me is the symbolism of their exchange. Not many people know Pierre is a member of the NPPA. He was wearing his ID card, surrounded by chaos and acting on instinct to help a fellow photographer.
In that moment, coming to the aid of another, he was all of us.
As the only organization solely dedicated to visual journalists, we support, defend, train, mentor, and equip our community like no other group in the country.
And in this high-stress moment, the stakes have never been greater. While press freedoms have hit a historic low in the United States, violence against photojournalists has spiked. An authoritarian impulse is surging across our political landscape. It’s more dangerous every day.
Let me be straight with you. If you’re receiving this email, it’s because you are on our newsletter list but our records indicate that you are not a member. You may not even be a donor.
If you have a membership associated with a different email address, we thank you for your continued support and ask that you can help us update our records to connect your email to your membership–we want to make sure that you get important updates.
If you are a donor, thank you. We deeply appreciate you.
If neither, we need you to step into the fight with us. Support our organization as a regular donor or member. Move from being a follower to a partner in our cause.
As World Press Freedom Day approaches, the takeaway is this: We are stronger together. That’s always been true. But never more true than now.
Help us as we help John, Pierre and the thousands of photojournalists on the front lines of truth, facing threats to their personal safety and their mission.
Support NPPA through a direct contribution or join NPPA and strengthen our collective voice that drives change. When our attorneys are on Capitol Hill fighting for photojournalism, the size of our membership can turn heads.
For donations, when you donate to World Press Freedom at the link below, our lean operating structure ensures every dollar you direct will support our efforts.
For membership, if you sign up by May 10th, we will discount your first year membership by 20%. It’s that important to have you with us. https://nppa.org/membership/tiers
Discount code: Freedom2026
Either way, please, send me a note so I can personally thank you.
We need you and appreciate you.
We’re all in this, together.
