Protest photographer Alexa Wilkinson recently found themselves embroiled in legal troubles, charged with a felony hate crime for sharing critical social media posts aimed at staff members of the New York Times, alongside documenting protests that involved vandalism at the media company’s headquarters. The unrest was a reaction to the newspaper’s coverage of the situation in Israel and Gaza.
The incident, which took place on July 30, has seen Wilkinson arrested, as reported on September 28, and their situation has been drawing significant attention from legal observers and advocates. A representative from the Legal Aid Society, who is defending Wilkinson, emphasized their dedication to journalism, stating that they have no prior criminal record and asserting that the charges are entirely baseless.
“They did not engage or promote any illegal activity, and we anticipate that once the facts are presented, it will be clear they were merely fulfilling their duties as a photojournalist,” said the spokesperson, emphasizing the principle of presumption of innocence.
Identifying with gender-neutral pronouns, Wilkinson has been charged with Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree due to their involvement at the protest where the vandalism occurred, alongside purportedly reposting critical remarks concerning News Times staff, who are accused of exhibiting pro-Israel biases.
In a preliminary hearing held on September 29, Wilkinson pleaded not guilty. A future court session is scheduled for November 17.
During the July protest, demonstrators vandalized the facade of the New York Times building with red paint, expressing allegations that the newspaper was complicit in Israel’s purported actions against Palestine, as characterized by a recent United Nations commission. Wilkinson documented the event through photography and subsequently shared images on social media. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office noted that surveillance footage captured Wilkinson’s activity during this event.
Two individuals connected to the vandalism were arraigned on felony charges but were not charged with hate crimes. Reports indicate that the damages totaled approximately $107,600.
According to legal documents, Wilkinson is accused of disseminating a social media message perceived as threatening towards the editor of the New York Times, Joseph Kahn. This allegedly included sharing a post that read, “They hanged newspaper editors at Nuremberg,” with a caption directed at Kahn that highlighted a growing dissatisfaction with his editorial decisions.
Additional allegations cited Wilkinson’s vocal criticism of conservative Times columnist Bret Stephens, who has denied claims regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza. Though the origin and context of these posts remain to be fully clarified, legal representation has called for recognition of journalism’s role in challenging narratives.
Despite the tumult, the New York Times has refrained from making an official comment regarding the situation. The WAWOG organization, which has supported Wilkinson, has characterized these arrests as a larger attempt to suppress both journalistic endeavors and political expression pertaining to contentious issues.
The allegations against Wilkinson come amid a backdrop of widespread scrutiny concerning the New York Times and its reporting policies regarding Israel. Investigative reports have suggested that the paper repeated disputed claims from Israeli high officials, and internal directives have guided reporters to avoid language surrounding terms like “genocide” in their narratives.
Previously, in a case reflecting similar tensions, videographer Samuel Seligson faced hate crime charges while documenting vandalistic protests aimed at Brooklyn Museum director Anne Pasternak’s residence. Advocates in that instance argued his actions warranted protections afforded to journalists, a perspective mirrored in the current case against Wilkinson.
In their latest statements, WAWOG has denounced the legal actions taken against Wilkinson as a direct affront to both the protest movement and the fundamental rights of free speech, while calling attention to the dangerous situation faced by journalists amid ongoing conflict.
Isa Farfan is a staff reporter for Hyperallergic. In May 2024, she graduated from Barnard College, where she concentrated on Political Science and English and contributed to the Columbia Daily Spectator.More by Isa Farfan
