Terrifying Photograph from the Minneapolis ICE Protests Will Have You Looking for Leicas

That is America, dammit. When political tensions are white sizzling, and the stakes are simply in regards to the highest they’ll presumably be, it’s time to pause for a bit consumerism break.

Or a minimum of that was my response to this unimaginable picture credited to Pierre Lavie posted on-line by a photographer named John Abernathy.

Abernathy says on Instagram that it’s him within the picture throughout Thursday’s protests on the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Constructing in Minneapolis, the place Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is basing its present excessive profile operations in Minneapolis. Having been tackled, he claims, by ICE brokers backed up by “50 border police,” Abernathy apparently chucked his Leica digicam within the course of one other photographer to “ensure that it wouldn’t be confiscated.”

On Bluesky, Abernathy offers a barely extra detailed assessment for digicam customers, writing that his Leica “landed on the bass plate with hardly a scratch.” That’s earlier than he additionally claims that he was held down, {that a} tear fuel canister went off close to his face, and that pepper spray went “instantly into the attention.” A photo published by ABC News does seem to point out Abernathy face down on the bottom with orange-ish liquid seen round his eye.

What ought to we purchase precisely if we need to replicate this unimaginable tableau? Posters on the Leica subreddit were immediately on the case (though the preliminary put up has already been deleted), noting that it seems to be the all-black model of the Leica M10. Comparable cameras within the U.S. retail for about $4,595.00 for those who’re available in the market for one that you just’d additionally prefer to stress take a look at by throwing it onto some tough concrete like Abernathy. 

And simply how did it deal with such abuse with out being obliterated? In all probability solely via the intervention of the journalism gods in all honesty, however according to the Leica website, “Because of elements machined from strong brass, the excessive energy of the M-10’s full-metal, magnesium alloy chassis and scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass, is constructed to effortlessly resist the adversities of on a regular basis life guaranteeing enduring pleasure to the photographers.” So there’s additionally that.

For what it’s price, ICE has complained on X that “anti-ICE agitators” on the occasion “threw objects.” ICE’s put up doesn’t point out costly cameras being among the many objects. ICE claims in addition they “shouted profanities, and endangered the general public by pouring water on the roads to create icy, hazardous situations.”

Yesterday, legislation enforcement at Whipple Federal Constructing confronted violent anti-ICE agitators who threw objects, shouted profanities, and endangered the general public by pouring water on the roads to create icy, hazardous situations.

After repeated warnings, 4 agitators have been arrested for… pic.twitter.com/wXgIJh7mRh

— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) January 16, 2026

Leica cameras are priced at completely breathtaking ranges, and infrequently include distinctive options that enchantment to severe photographers. As my one-time colleague Lucas Ropek noted in 2023, a step up from the M10 is the $9,500 M11, designed with digital authenticity instruments particularly for combating AI misinformation. 

Leica possession can also be one of the simplest ways to entry the Leica subculture, the place some fairly wonderful discourse takes place. “Oof. Undecided I’d convey my M physique there for that,” notes one Lieca enthusiast on the Leica subreddit, including, “Not due to hazard to the digicam, however as a result of I favor one thing like a 24-105 with autofocus in that atmosphere.”