CNN's Anderson Cooper attacked by pro-Mubarak mob: 'They're beating people up on the streets'

 

CNN's Anderson Cooper and his production crew were attacked by a group of demonstrators in Egypt on Wednesday. Reporting from Cairo, Cooper said during a phone interview that he was punched in the head multiple times by supporters of President Hosni Mubarak, and that the mob also assulted his crew and destroyed their equipment.

"There’s a number of individuals who have come on the pro-Mubarak side today to get into a fight," said Cooper, who added that pro-Mubarak agitators are targeting anyone with a camera. "They're beating up people in the streets. We just heard a long volley of shots. We’re seeing more molotov cocktails being thrown, and it’s dark now, so it seems even more risky now that night has come."

Cooper said that the violence marked a turning point for the protests in Cairo's Tahrir Square. "For the past eight days, it’s been anti-Mubarak demonstrators and we haven’t seen weaponry demonstrated by protesters," he said. "But starting early [Wednesday] morning, a large group of pro-Mubarak protesters were gathering under my live shot location and starting to throw rocks. They’ve been out in large groups today. It’s defintiely been a change of tactics that we’ve seen on the streets."

This isn't the first time that Cooper has become part of the story he's covering. While reporting in Haiti early last year, he carried an injured boy away from a chaotic looting scene. Asked if he believes it's important to draw the line between journalism and first-person reporting, he said that getting involved in the story wasn't his choice. "There wasn’t any action that I took in any way to get involved," he said. "I would definitely prefer to keep myself out of being punched in the head."

"To me, the story today is not me being attacked, it’s the melee that continues," he added. "This is a stunning development, and it’s not clear what kind of impact it’s going to have. Is it going to enrage people who’d been standing on the sidelines to see these anti-Mubarak protesters attacked in such an organized way, with the Egyptian military standing by not doing anything to intervene? Perhaps. Will it scare people? Maybe it will have that effect. We don’t know."

--Melissa Maerz

Comments

[Andy Radin]

"Is it going to enrage people who’d been standing on the sidelines to see these anti-Mubarak protesters attack in such an organized way, with the Egyptian military standing by not doing anything to intervene? "

Wait a minute: I hope that was a typo, but if it was, it was a really bad one. there was little if any violent acts committed by anti Mubarak protesters; it was pro Mubarak "protesters" who attacked in an organized way. And the whole intelligent world who is watching know that these are hired thugs, not motivated citizens expressing themselves.

What these true protesters have been doing all week is inspiring to billions of people around the world. I personally feel so proud of them.

[Abdelmajid]

Mr. Anderson Cooper thank you for going after the truth! You should be featured at least on CNN Heros. Mobarak has shown the world his true ugly face. This is how he ran the country for 30 years. He's a criminal, he does not care about the Egyptian people, Pyramids, Economy, National heritage or anything, all he cares about is his worthless presidency! Congrats to the free Egyptian people and good luck to people in Morocco, Yemen, Jordan, SA...and all oppressed Arabs. Arabs love the US when it stands for their freedeom, I encourage Obama or at least Clinton to be honest in expressing their views to Mobarak. Thanks again Mr. Cooper, please be safe.

[Newkyrgyz Stan]

The situation of Hosni Mubarak reminds me the situation of President Bakiev in Kyrgyzstan. However, in my view, if Egyptians are able to wait for Mubarak's change in a peaceful, non-revolutionary way, then they will opt for more better future. Mubarak studied in Frunze, Kyrgyzstan and I respect his 30 year of his service as president.

[Ali]

This clearly shows Hosni Mubarak deceit and attempt to sabotage any protest against his regime. He has paid police and others desperate for money 100 pounds the equivalent of 25 dollars to stir chaos, so he can claim that it is necessary for him to stay in power. His paid goons and police attack news cameras and journalists to prevent any real news and wants to promote chaos and a rise of a Muslim Brotherhood which will never be accepted by the citizens of Egypt to be in power. If he stays in power he will simply use his goons to round up and arrest all the youth for the assembly of the protest and subject them to torture as he continues to rape Egypt and Egyptian citizens. P.S. CNN has provided excellent coverage of the uprising in Egypt and I want to thank there network.

[Amine]

" Is it going to enrage people who’d been standing on the sidelines to see these anti-Mubarak protesters attack in such an organized way" Please correct this sentance changing attack to attacked as they did not do the attacking but were attacked instead. since this mistake changes the whole meaning of the sentace. Thanks :)

[Bumboclot]

So Mubarak is supposed to be pro-USA? Why are his supporters attacking the American media then? String up that creepy dictator just like Saddam!

[Martin]

Islam is the religion of peace, right?

Tell that to Anderson Cooper and the countless others hurt or killed by Muslims in the Middle East.

[Jonso]

How r u andy hop ugt wel soon

[Marisol Gomez]

Dear Anderson,

Praying for all of you...

Please be safe :)

Marisol

[amos33]

Will Chris Matthews refer to Anderson Cooper as a "baloonhead" now? or does he reserve those comments for the tea party only?

[Lorele Houle]

Again, thank you for seeking the truth. Please stay safe, we need fearless reporters like you and your crew. When I was young, I could not understand why reporters risked thier lives for a story. As an adult, I understand, but still take care.

[Christopher]

"There’s a number of individuals who have come on the pro-Mubarak side today to get into a fight," People should stop using contractions since most of them are incorrect.

It should be - There are - not there is.

[Paul]

I think the attack on Anderson says a whole lot about Mubarak's government and the threatening and abusive use of powers he has used to continue being president for 30 years. It is an even stronger signal for why he should be taken out of office peacefully or with force. It appears the military doesn't know which side it is committed to supporting. The blood letting has begun and it will only intensify with each passing hour.

This is also the same country our government has given 7.4 Billion dollars to keep in office. When we intentionally and knowingly support a non democratic country we are the losers in the end.

[Steve G]

He's just 'some reporter guy' to them. He gets included.

Number of journalists killed worldwide:
2010 = 57
2009 = 76
Number beaten up= hundreds, if not thousands.

I didn't see any media columns and floral bouquets for all these others. Maybe you are letting your familiar viewing habits distort your reactions to a real, serious, problem for news people ?

[Cindi Adams]

AC, please be careful!! You're one of my favorite news people!

Thank you for you and your crews bravery in being the eyes for the rest of the world in bringing the truth of Mubarak's actions. The people of Egypt have always known the kind of oppression Mubarak makes them live under, and now the rest of the world is seeing it too, thanks to CNN.

Much prayers to the citizens of Egypt. They are a strong people and they have a right to a better life.