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

That is America, dammit. When political tensions are white scorching, and the stakes are simply concerning the highest they’ll probably be, it’s time to pause for somewhat consumerism break.

Or at the very least that was my response to this unbelievable 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 digital camera within the course of one other photographer to “ensure that it wouldn’t be confiscated.”

On Bluesky, Abernathy supplies a barely extra detailed assessment for digital camera buyers, 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 gasoline canister went off close to his face, and that pepper spray went “immediately into the attention.” A photo published by ABC News does seem to indicate 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 unbelievable tableau? Posters on the Leica subreddit were immediately on the case (though the preliminary publish 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 when you’re available in the market for one that you simply’d additionally wish to stress check 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 by way of the intervention of the journalism gods in all honesty, however according to the Leica website, “Because of parts machined from strong brass, the excessive power 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 value, ICE has complained on X that “anti-ICE agitators” on the occasion “threw objects.” ICE’s publish doesn’t point out costly cameras being among the many objects. ICE claims additionally they “shouted profanities, and endangered the general public by pouring water on the roads to create icy, hazardous situations.”

Yesterday, regulation 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 had 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 sometimes include distinctive options that attraction to critical 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 best ways to entry the Leica subculture, the place some fairly superb discourse takes place. “Oof. Unsure I’d deliver my M physique there for that,” notes one Lieca enthusiast on the Leica subreddit, including, “Not due to hazard to the digital camera, however as a result of I want one thing like a 24-105 with autofocus in that surroundings.”