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Twitter photo of Olson arrest by Ryan J. Reilly of the Huffington Post
Getty Images staff photographer Scott Olson, on assignment covering the protests and police activity in Ferguson, Missouri, was arrested Monday by officers from the Missouri state highway patrol. Police on Monday had been trying to control where journalists could stand to report on the troubles in Ferguson. Olson reportedly ignored an order to stay in the reporting pen. "We at Getty Images stand firmly behind our colleague Scott Olson and the right to report from Ferguson. Getty Images is working to secure his release as soon as possible," said Pancho Bernasconi, vice-president for news at Getty Images. “We strongly object to his arrest and are committed to ensuring he is able to resume his important work of capturing some of the most iconic images of this news story.”
The arrest was photographed and the images posted to social media. Olson was released after more than three hours in custody and was seen back at work on the line between police and protesters.
President Obama spoke Monday about the racial emotions, looting and police overzealousness in Ferguson for the second time since the killing of unarmed teenager Michael Brown. He also repeated his request that journalists not be prevented from doing their jobs. Obama said he is sending Attorney General Eric Holder to Ferguson on Wednesday.
It was another rough night in Ferguson, with more than 30 arrests, some shooting and the use of tear gas by the police — including of journalists.
* Morning update: Six journalists were arrested last night or this morning on Ferguson streets, including Kerry Picket, a reporter for Breitbart News. All were released without any charges being filed. "In the midst of chaos, when officers are running around, we're not sure who's a journalist and who's not," explained Missouri Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson.
