LOS ANGELES — Journalist Don Lemon was released from custody on Friday after being arrested and charged with federal civil rights violations. The charges stem from his coverage of a protest against immigration enforcement that disrupted a church service in Minnesota.
Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles, while other journalists and protesters were arrested in Minnesota. After appearing in court in California, Lemon stated he would not be silenced, asserting the importance of a free press.
“I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now,” Lemon said.
The arrests have drawn criticism from some media advocates and civil rights activists, while others support the government’s move to uphold the law.
A grand jury in Minnesota indicted Lemon and others for allegedly conspiring to interfere with the First Amendment rights of worshippers during the January 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul. The church has ties to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official.
In court, prosecutors argued for a $100,000 bond, claiming Lemon joined a mob that stormed a church. However, he was released without posting money and was allowed to travel to France while the case is ongoing.
Lemon’s defense attorney stated that he plans to plead not guilty and fight the charges in Minnesota.
Lemon, who was previously terminated from CNN, claimed he was present as a journalist and has no affiliation with the protest organization.
“Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done,” his lawyer said in a statement.
Following the arrests, Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the importance of religious freedom.
“Make no mistake. Under President Trump’s leadership and this administration, you have the right to worship freely and safely,” Bondi said. “And if I haven’t been clear already, if you violate that sacred right, we are coming after you.”
Indictment describes Lemon’s livestream
Since leaving CNN, Lemon has been posting regularly on YouTube.
During his online show from the church, he stated: “I’m not here as an activist. I’m here as a journalist.” He described the scene and interviewed churchgoers and demonstrators.
The indictment names nine defendants, including Lemon, stating that two of them posted their planned action on social media and gave instructions in a shopping center parking lot.
According to the document, Lemon began livestreaming and said he was with a group preparing for a “resistance” operation against federal immigration policies. The indictment says Lemon “took steps to maintain operational secrecy by reminding co-conspirators to not disclose the target of their operation,” and moved away to prevent his microphone from revealing the planning.
Prosecutors claim that during the briefing, Lemon thanked an activist for her actions and assured her he would not reveal what was happening.
Inside the church, the defendants allegedly shouted slogans and blew whistles as the pastor began his sermon, and acted in a hostile manner. Prosecutors say the pastor and congregants perceived “threats of violence.”
The indictment claims Lemon told the livestream he saw a frightened young man, and that the defendants surrounded the pastor, with Lemon “peppered him with questions to promote the operation’s message.”
‘Keep trying’
A magistrate judge previously rejected prosecutors’ initial attempt to charge Lemon. He predicted the administration would try again.
“And guess what,” Lemon said. “Here I am. Keep trying. That’s not going to stop me from being a journalist. That’s not going to diminish my voice. Go ahead, make me into the new Jimmy Kimmel if you want. Just do it. Because I’m not going anywhere.”
Independent journalist Georgia Fort also livestreamed her arrest, claiming her First Amendment rights as a journalist were being violated.
A judge released Fort and others on bond, rejecting the Justice Department’s attempt to keep them in custody. Not guilty pleas were entered. Fort’s supporters applauded in the courtroom.
“It’s a sinister turn of events in this country,” Fort’s attorney said in court.
Discouraging scrutiny
Jane Kirtley, a media law expert at the University of Minnesota, stated that the federal laws cited were not intended for reporters gathering news.
She called the charges against Lemon and Fort “pure intimidation and government overreach.”
Some experts and activists suggest the charges are an attack on press freedoms, while others disagree, arguing that journalists are not above the law.
The National Association of Black Journalists expressed outrage and warned against efforts to “criminalize and threaten press freedom under the guise of law enforcement.”
Crews, a leader of Black Lives Matter Minnesota, stated, “All the greats have been to jail, MLK, Malcom X — people who stood up for justice get attacked. We were just practicing our First Amendment rights.”
Church leaders praise arrests in protest
A civil rights attorney and two others involved in the protest were arrested for disrupting the Cities Church service.
The Justice Department launched an investigation after the group interrupted services by chanting and protesting immigration enforcement policies.
Cities Church belongs to the Southern Baptist Convention and lists a pastor who also leads ICE’s St. Paul field office.
“We are grateful that the Department of Justice acted swiftly to protect Cities Church so that we can continue to faithfully live out the church’s mission to worship Jesus and make him known,” said lead pastor Jonathan Parnell.
