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 of consumerism break.
Or at the very least 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 “ensure that it wouldn’t be confiscated.”
On Bluesky, Abernathy gives a barely extra detailed evaluate 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 fuel canister went off close to his face, and that pepper spray went “immediately into the attention.” A photograph printed by ABC Information 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 had been instantly on the case (though the preliminary submit 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 in case you’re available in the market for one that you simply’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? Most likely solely by way of the intervention of the journalism gods in all honesty, however in accordance with the Leica web site, “Because of elements 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 value, ICE has complained on X that “anti-ICE agitators” on the occasion “threw objects.” ICE’s submit 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, 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 infrequently include distinctive options that enchantment to severe photographers. As my one-time colleague Lucas Ropek famous 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 be the easiest way to entry the Leica subculture, the place some fairly wonderful discourse takes place. “Oof. Undecided I’d carry my M physique there for that,” notes one Lieca fanatic on the Leica subreddit, including, “Not due to hazard to the digital camera, however as a result of I choose one thing like a 24-105 with autofocus in that setting.”
