Posted in: Opinion, streaming, TV, TV, YouTube | Tagged: don lemon, opinion, trump

Don Lemon Arrested By Fed Agents Over Minneapolis ICE Protest Coverage

Former CNN anchor and journalist Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents for his coverage of an anti-ICE protest inside a Minnesota church.

Former CNN anchor and independent journalist Don Lemon was arrested on Friday by federal agents for violating federal law for his attendance at an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protest inside a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18th. During the incident, protestors interrupted a church service at Cities Church by a pastor who also works as an ICE agent, chanting "ICE out!" In the aftermath, Donald Trump's people looked to charge eight individuals over the incident – including Lemon – for breaking a law that protects individuals attending service at a place of worship. Lemon and his legal team have argued that Lemon was there solely as a journalist who was reporting on the demonstration. A magistrate judge would approve charges against only three individuals, dismissing potential charges against Lemon and others due to insufficient evidence. Trump's Justice Department sought to have the judge forced to issue the additional warrants, but those efforts were shut down by a federal appeals court.

Lemon's attorney, Abbe Lowell, confirmed that the arrest came as the journalist was in Los Angeles to cover this weekend's Grammy Awards. "Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done. The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable. There is no more important time for people like Don to be doing this work," Lowell said in a statement. "Instead of investigating the federal agents who killed two peaceful Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Department is devoting its time, attention, and resources to this arrest, and that is the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case. This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand. Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court."

Lemon's arrest comes as Minneapolis continues to be a site of growing tensions and violence between the citizens and ICE and other federal agents. In addition, today is also the "National Shutdown" ("No work. No School. No shopping. Stop funding ICE."), a nationwide general strike to protest the Trump Administration's immigration policies and actions in Minnesota and across the country. Earlier this month, Minnesota held its own statewide general strike, with an estimated 50,000 people protesting in the streets of Minneapolis, and Minnesotans were encouraged not to go to school or work, or purchase anything. Meanwhile, questions still remain regarding the shooting deaths of U.S. citizens Rene Good and Alex Pettri by ICE and federal agents.

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!