NY Press Club: 'Baldwin's Actions Should Not Be Tolerated'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The New York Press Club is condemning Alec Baldwin's alleged assault of a newspaper photographer outside a marriage license bureau.
The press club released a statement Wednesday saying Baldwin's actions "should not be tolerated.''
"Baldwin is a public figure. His activities - including in this case, the procurement of a marriage license - are legitimate subjects of media interest," the statement said.
Police have confirmed that Daily News photographer Marcus Santos had filed a complaint against Baldwin. They said Santos claims he was punched while snapping photos of Baldwin and his fiancée on Tuesday.
Baldwin claimed he was defending himself. His publicist accused the photographer of being the aggressor and said the actor defended himself after the photographer assaulted him with a camera:
"As Alec and his fiancée were leaving City Hall, a 'civilian' walking in front of Alec positioned himself to obstruct the view of a photographer aggressively trying to shoot the couple. The photographer was clearly frustrated, pushed past the bystander and assaulted Alec with his camera. There were no punches thrown, and any subsequent physical contact was simply Alec protecting himself."
On Wednesday, the actor bolted from his village apartment on a bicycle and according to Inside Edition, he allegedly ran over a producer's foot.
In its statement, the press club addressed that alleged incident as well.
"Baldwin's subsequent attack today on a reporter for Inside Edition who was trying to ask questions about the previous day's incident - Baldwin ran his bike over her foot - is deplorable," the statement said. "Baldwin's actions should not be tolerated. They should be exposed - and condemned."
Meanwhile, Baldwin appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman and again, denied hitting the photographer.
"I kind of pushed him out of way cause he almost hit me in the face with the camera," Baldwin told Letterman. "Had I punched him, I would be in jail."
Baldwin actually dropped his pants at one point, joking he'd do anything to change the subject from his current battle with the media.
Letterman, who also dropped his pants, defended Baldwin's actions, saying he's also been the victim of a paparazzi attack.
The NYPD is investigating the camera incident. So far, no charges have been filed.
(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
