A security guard for CNN analyst April Ryan harassed Charlie Kratovil, a New Brunswick reporter, during an August 3 speaking event, Kratovil reports in a Twitter thread.
THREAD: It’s been 36 hours since @AprilDRyan’s security guard assaulted me in a hotel lobby after stealing our camera.
Because there has been some misinformation going around, I want to lay out exactly what happened before, during, & after this video.
https://t.co/nDT3FSWkTY— Charlie Kratovil (@Charlie4Change) August 5, 2019
Kratovil, the editor of the independent news source New Brunswick Today, said that he went to the event to film Ryan's speech, which his publication had previewed. Kratovil added that he was a supporter of Ryan, and only wanted his audience to be able to hear her speech.
"Unlike many stories I do, I wasn't digging deep or trying to put anyone on the spot," he wrote in a tweet. "Just thought it was cool that a well-known journo was speaking in my city & something our audience might appreciate."
Kratovil also stated that he had cleared his ability to film the "keynote speaker" with the PR firm running the event several days beforehand. When he arrived, a man working the event allowed him to set up his camera nearby another camera slated to film the event.
While he waited for Ryan's speech, Kratovil walked around the room and met Rep. Donald Payne (D., N.J.) , whom he congratulated on supporting impeachment for President Donald Trump.
I spent nearly 3 hours at the #NJParentSummit without incident. Before the program began, I introduced myself to @RepDonaldPayne and thanked him for his recent support of impeaching the President. I also helped take a couple photos for a woman who wanted one w/ the Congressman.
— Charlie Kratovil (@Charlie4Change) August 5, 2019
But while Payne was introducing Ryan, a man approached Kratovil and asked who he was with. Kratovil presented his press credentials, and the man told him to "take down" the camera or he would take it down himself.
Just as Rep. Payne was praising Ms. Ryan for her recent @rcfp 'Freedom of the Press" award, the public relations people started to gather around me at my table, pressuring me to stop recording.
As soon as things started going south, I began recording audio of our conversation.
— Charlie Kratovil (@Charlie4Change) August 5, 2019
The two continued to argue, with Kratovil refusing to take down his camera unless he was given some more information on why. A woman then approached Kratovil and told him that Ryan would not take the stage until he stopped recording. As they group discussed Ryan took the stage.
The man who had originally approached Kratovil went up to Ryan, whispered in her ear, and she stopped speaking.
"Ms. Ryan's remarks were then interrupted by a visit from the mystery man, who I later learned is named Joel Morris and works as a 'security guard' for Ms. Ryan," Kratovil wrote. "Mr. Morris approached the podium & said something to her. She nodded and went silent for the next 27 seconds."
Ms. Ryan’s remarks were then interrupted by a visit from the mystery man, who I later learned is named Joel Morris and works as a 'security guard" for Ms. Ryan.
Mr. Morris approached the podium & said something to her. She nodded and went silent for the next 27 seconds.
— Charlie Kratovil (@Charlie4Change) August 5, 2019
The man then unplugged Kratovil's camera and confiscated it. Ryan then explained to the crowd why this was happening.
"When I speak, I don't have news covering my speech," Ryan said.
'When I speak, I don’t have news covering my speech," explained Ms. Ryan, adding she wanted to be able to have an 'unfettered" discussion.
Never mind the other video camera (or the other news reporter) that still remained in the room.
— Charlie Kratovil (@Charlie4Change) August 5, 2019
Kratovil eventually recovered his camera, but not without a physical struggle. He said that he intends to press charges.
Here is the surveillance video from the hotel, provided to me by Charlie. It shows @AprilDRyan's bodyguard trying to snatch his camera and assaulting the local reporter. The video ends with the bodyguard dragging him out of the building. pic.twitter.com/rnAM0iVNEc
— Marcus J. DiPaola (@marcusdipaola) August 14, 2019
Ryan stated in June on CNN that she has to fight for her "survival" as a reporter asking questions in the White House.