by Kristinn Taylor
August 14, 2019
UPDATE:In a subsequent phone interview with the reporter/victim Charlie Kratovil, Kratovil said he was not aware of a gun being pulled and after reviewing the hotel security video doubts that it was a gun being wielded by the man in the blue suit. Watch below to decide. Article updated with qualifiers.
Freedom of the press? Transparency? Not when CNN analyst April Ryan is speaking. Video taken August 3rd by a reporter shows April Ryan apparently siccing her security guard on the reporter who was videotaping her speech at a New Brunswick, New Jersey charity event by Project Ready. After speaking with Ryan–who stopped her speech shortly after beginning it because it was being filmed–the guard is seen stealing the reporter’s camera and taking it out of the banquet hall at The Heldrich Hotel. Hotel security video later shows Ryan’s guard manhandling the reporter in the lobby and forcibly ejecting him from the hotel. Another man, in a blue suit, pulls what appears to be a handgun and points it at the reporter! It is not clear if the man who apparently pulled the gun on the reporter is hotel or Ryan security. (UPDATE: Kratovil said the man is the hotel manager.)
The reporter had been cleared by the event organizer and PR firms handling the event to attend and videotape Ryan’s keynote speech. However Ryan, after speaking to her security guard from the stage, informed the audience that she bans reporters from her speeches so she can speak freely.
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Video of the hotel lobby assault. Ryan’s security guard is in the black suit. After giving back the camera to the reporter he then attempts to steal it back as others crowd around the reporter and demand he leave. When the reporter resists, the guard grabs hims and forces him out of the hotel. A heavy-set man in a blue suit pulls what appears to be a black handgun from his right and points it at the reporter and follows as he is ejected. The man puts the apparent gun away without firing it.
Longer video via YouTube:
The reporter who was attacked is Charlie Kratovil, the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today. (Note, Kratovil says he is anti-Trump, so Ryan fragged an ally in the Resistance.)
Video shows Ryan speaking to her guard before the guard removes Kratovil’s camera while it is recording.
Kratovil posted a multi-part Twitter thread (excerpts below) explaining what happened and identifying Ryan’s security guard as Joel Morris.
Charlie Kratovil @Charlie4Change · Aug 5, 2019
I had no intention to write any articles, or to ask Ms. Ryan any questions. Unlike many stories I do, I wasn’t digging deep or trying to put anyone on the spot. Just thought it was cool that a well-known journo was speaking in my city & something our audience might appreciate.
On Friday 8/2, I RSVP’ed to Mr. Melli and specifically stated that I wanted to attend “Saturday’s keynote speech.” There was a full day of other stuff scheduled that day, the second day of the 3-day “summit” sponsored by a bunch of NJ groups that push for more charter schools.
On the big night, I arrived at @TheHeldrich Hotel at about 6:45pm, 15 mins. before the “Parent Awards” ceremony was set to begin. As instructed, I checked in w/ @willherberich who apparently works with a different PR firm (PACE Education Strategies) than the one that invited us.
I asked Mr. Herberich where I could set up our video camera so as not to disrupt the event, block the serving areas, or block anyone’s view.
At his suggestion, I set up the camera and tripod right next to another camera and tripod. I shook hands w/ the man running that camera.
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.
I was a very polite guest during the event, sitting at the table closest to my camera & right next to @ChuckODonnell3 of @NewBrunswickTAP.
I recorded the entire program, occasionally returning to the camera to adjust the shot. I had some dessert & helped myself to some hot tea.
I recorded the remarks of Assemblywoman @shavondasumter without incident, as well as the presentation of two “Parent of the Year” awards, and a pleasant surprise that was not listed on the summit agenda: a musical performance by Newark's own @leahjeneamusic.
At about 8:30pm, Rep. Payne took to the stage to introduce the keynote speaker, Ms. Ryan. During the intro, this man came up to me, mentioned my video camera & asked me “Who are you with?”
I gave him my card & explained that I followed the proper channels to cover the event.
I asked if he had a card & he responded by saying he was “with the speaker." He left & I thought this would be the end of it, but the mystery man returned, threatening to "take... down" my camera if I did not do so myself.
I declined to acquiesce to this threat from a stranger.
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.
I maintained a firm position re: video recording, saying I wouldn't take action until I could get more info on the man who threatened to mess w/ my camera.
I told them "If he doesn’t give me his name & tell me on the record why I can’t [video], I’m not turning off the camera.”
Then a woman who did not explain her role tried to negotiate w/ me, saying I could record audio & “pull quotes” from it if I wanted to.
I tried to explain that I wasn’t writing an article and that the purpose of my attendance was to video record the speech. Just doing my job.
This woman, who I later learned is Shennell McCloud, the Executive Director of “Project Ready," insisted that Ms. Ryan would not take the stage unless my camera was gone, but moments later, Ms. Ryan took the stage.
At this point, we all left the room to discuss further.
The mystery man, still refusing to give his name, returned to the ballroom. I warned him not to touch my camera.
At the same time, Ms. Ryan was thanking Rep. Payne for his introduction, stating “it’s an honor to be in your district.” (New Brunswick is not in his district.)
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.
Rather than, you know, pushing the camera’s record button to stop the video recording (or just turning it off), Mr. Morris proceeded to unplug my camera, grab the tripod it was connected to, and steal the entire thing.
As soon as Mr. Morris touched our camera, I spoke up, saying: “Don’t touch my camera, please. Put that down. Don’t you dare. Put that down, sir.”
At the same time, Ms. Ryan began attempting to explain to the crowd why they were witnessing the theft of our camera.
“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.
Now guilty of 3rd-degree theft of movable property under NJ law , Mr. Morris fled towards to the front desk of the hotel, bringing the stolen property w/ him.
I gathered some of my belongings and caught up w/ the thief, demanding he return the camera. He eventually gave it up.
This should have been the end of it.
I had retrieved the property that Mr. Morris had stolen from me, and at this point, I had ZERO interest in returning to an event where I had quickly come to feel unwelcome.
But then Mr. Morris began to get violent w/ me right there.
I was carrying my phone (which was recording audio) in one hand & the camera/tripod in the other.
I tried to get away from the perpetrator, but within seconds, he began assaulting me without provocation in the lobby & continued his assault as he forced me out of the building.
I screamed and used some profane language towards Mr. Morris as he grabbed my left arm and twisted it behind my back, injuring my forearm and shoulder.
I later gave a statement to NBPD's Ryan Daughton & he told me that he'd prepare a police report.
I intend to press charges.
End of conversation
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.