I Prayed
have prayed
Lord, grant peace in our cities, wisdom for our leaders, and discernment for the media. Protect the innocent, restore truth in reporting, and soften hardened hearts to turn to Your holy name.
As anti-ICE riots turned violent in Los Angeles, national attention shifted not only to the destruction in the streets but also to how the media framed the events. Christians seeking clarity and truth in a polarized landscape are calling for prayer and discernment.
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From FOX:
A Los Angeles news station went viral after its news anchor characterized the anti-ICE riots as “just a bunch of people having fun watching cars burn” on Sunday.
During live coverage of the downtown LA riots, ABC7 anchor Jory Rand cautioned against deploying law enforcement to avoid escalation. His comments, alongside reporter Tim Caputo’s hesitancy to call the event a “riot,” went viral after being shared online by the account Libs of TikTok. Many viewers were outraged at what they saw as media downplaying lawlessness.
The demonstrations began after ICE arrested gang members and sex offenders who were illegal immigrants to the United States. What started as a protest quickly turned violent—vehicles were set on fire, projectiles thrown at officers, and the LAPD headquarters vandalized. Though only a portion of the crowd participated in violence, the chaos was visible and alarming. Despite this, both Rand and Caputo continually emphasized that the crowd was mostly peaceful and not representative of the destruction.
As Christians, this challenges us to pursue truth and discernment in what we consume – from ABC7, from FOX, or any other entity. It also reminds us to intercede in prayer: for public safety, wise leadership, honest journalism, and the restoration of peace and justice in our communities. When truth is blurred, prayer becomes essential.
What do you think of the media’s choice of words over the riots? Share your thoughts and prayers below.
Excerpts from FOX. Photo Credit: RINGO CHIU/AFP via Getty Images.