This is America, dammit. When political tensions are white hot, and the stakes are just about the highest they can possibly be, it\u2019s time to pause for a little consumerism break. <\/p>\n
Or at least that was my response to this incredible photo credited to Pierre Lavie posted online by a photographer named John Abernathy.<\/p>\n
Abernathy says<\/a> on Instagram that it\u2019s him in the photo during Thursday\u2019s protests at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is basing its current high profile operations in Minneapolis. Having been tackled, he claims, by ICE agents backed up by \u201c50 border police,\u201d Abernathy apparently chucked his Leica camera in the direction of another photographer to \u201cmake sure it wouldn\u2019t be confiscated.\u201d <\/p>\n On Bluesky<\/a>, Abernathy provides a slightly more detailed review for camera shoppers, writing that his Leica \u201clanded on the bass plate with hardly a scratch.\u201d That\u2019s before he also claims that he was held down, that a tear gas canister went off near his face, and that pepper spray went \u201cdirectly into the eye.\u201d A photo published by ABC News<\/a> does appear to show Abernathy face down on the ground with orange-ish liquid visible around his eye.<\/p>\n What should we buy exactly if we want to replicate this incredible tableau? Posters on the Leica subreddit were immediately on the case<\/a> (although the initial post has already been deleted), noting that it appears to be the all-black version of the Leica M10. Comparable cameras in the U.S. retail for about $4,595.00<\/a> if you\u2019re in the market for one that you\u2019d also like to stress test by throwing it onto some rough concrete like Abernathy.\u00a0<\/p>\n And just how did it handle such abuse without being obliterated? Probably only through the intervention of the journalism gods in all honesty, but according to the Leica website<\/a>, \u201cThanks to components machined from solid brass, the high strength of the M-10\u2019s full-metal, magnesium alloy chassis and scratch-resistant Corning\u00ae Gorilla\u00ae Glass, is built to effortlessly resist the adversities of everyday life guaranteeing enduring pleasure to the photographers.\u201d So there\u2019s also that.<\/p>\n For what it\u2019s worth, ICE has complained on X that \u201canti-ICE agitators\u201d at the event \u201cthrew objects.\u201d ICE\u2019s post doesn\u2019t mention expensive cameras being among the objects. ICE claims they also \u201cshouted profanities, and endangered the public by pouring water on the roads to create icy, hazardous conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n Yesterday, law enforcement at Whipple Federal Building faced violent anti-ICE agitators who threw objects, shouted profanities, and endangered the public by pouring water on the roads to create icy, hazardous conditions.<\/p>\n After repeated warnings, 4 agitators were arrested for\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/wXgIJh7mRh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) January 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Leica cameras are priced at absolutely breathtaking levels, and often come with unique features that appeal to serious photographers. As my one-time colleague Lucas Ropek noted in 2023<\/a>, a step up from the M10 is the $9,500 M11, designed with digital authenticity tools specifically for combating AI misinformation.\u00a0<\/p>\n Leica ownership is also the best way to access the Leica subculture, where some pretty amazing discourse takes place. \u201cOof. Not sure I\u2019d bring my M body there for that,\u201d notes one Lieca enthusiast on the Leica subreddit<\/a>, adding, \u201cNot because of danger to the camera, but because I prefer something like a 24-105 with autofocus in that environment.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n