WASHINGTON - An Associated Press photographer was struck in the head and knocked unconscious Sunday when he was caught between clashing police and protesters at a demonstration against the International Monetary Fund.
Heesoon Yim, an AP free-lance photographer, was taking pictures of demonstrators linked in a human chain near the White House when the crowd surged toward a line of police and he was struck on the back of the head. Yim, who was treated at a local hospital for a concussion and a 1-inch cut on his scalp, said he didn't know who hit him.
Earlier in the day, Ross Simpson, an AP Radio reporter, was clubbed in the back by a police officer in riot gear during a confrontation with demonstrators. Police said they used pepper spray and smoke bombs to drive back the protesters, who were convinced they'd been tear-gassed.
On Saturday night, a Washington Post photographer who has won three Pulitzer Prizes was arrested while covering the police roundup of hundreds of protesters.
Police arrested Carol Guzy along with about 600 protesters who they said had been marching without a permit.
Guzy said she had moved away from other photographers while covering the demonstration and, although she wore credentials, was seized by an officer and then arrested after she complained about being roughly handled.
After holding Guzy in a bus and then in a cell, police later dropped the charges and released her, she said.