Terrifying Picture 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 concerning the highest they will presumably be, it’s time to pause for slightly consumerism break.

Or not less than that was my response to this unimaginable photograph credited to Pierre Lavie posted on-line by a photographer named John Abernathy.

Abernathy says on Instagram that it’s him within the photograph 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 “be certain that it wouldn’t be confiscated.”

On Bluesky, Abernathy gives a barely extra detailed evaluate for digital camera 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 wish to replicate this unimaginable 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 out there 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 means of the intervention of the journalism gods in all honesty, however according to the Leica website, “Because of parts machined from stable 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 price, 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 in addition they “shouted profanities, and endangered the general public by pouring water on the roads to create icy, hazardous circumstances.”

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 circumstances.

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 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 the easiest way to entry the Leica subculture, the place some fairly superb discourse takes place. “Oof. Unsure I’d carry 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 favor one thing like a 24-105 with autofocus in that setting.”