The arrests of multiple journalists and protest participants connected to immigration-related demonstrations in Minnesota have drawn scrutiny from media organizations and civil liberties advocates, following federal actions against reporters covering a church protest in St. Paul.
Independent journalist Don Lemon, who is openly gay, was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles last week in connection with his coverage of a January anti-ICE protest at Cities Church in St. Paul. Lemon was released from federal custody following a court appearance and has publicly stated his intent to continue reporting.
The protest occurred after demonstrators learned that one of the church’s pastors is an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official. Protesters briefly interrupted a worship service. Lemon has maintained that he was present solely in a journalistic capacity and did not participate in the protest itself.
Federal prosecutors have charged Lemon and others with conspiracy to interfere with religious freedom and violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, a 1994 law that also applies to places of worship. Lemon has pleaded not guilty. Court records show that a federal magistrate judge previously declined to approve an arrest warrant for Lemon, citing a lack of evidence, before the case was later brought to a grand jury.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed in a post on X that the arrest occurred “at my direction.” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche later defended the decision in a televised interview, arguing that freedom of religion must be balanced against press freedom.
Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, rejected that argument. “Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done,” Lowell said. “The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable.”
Others arrested in connection with the protest include Minnesota-based reporter Georgia Fort; Nekima Levy Armstrong, a former president of the Twin Cities NAACP; Chauntyll Louisa Allen; Jamael Lydell Lundy; Trahern Jeen Crews; and William Kelly, according to court documents and media reports.
Lemon’s arrest has drawn particular attention because of his visibility as a Black, gay journalist. He spent 17 years at CNN and was among the first openly gay Black anchors on national cable news. Press freedom advocates have warned that arrests like these risk discouraging journalists, especially LGBTQ+ and Black reporters, from covering protests and government actions.
Speaking briefly outside the courthouse after his release, Lemon said the arrest stemmed from work he has done throughout his career and emphasized that he does not intend to stop reporting. “The First Amendment of the Constitution protects that work for me and for countless other journalists who do what I do,” Lemon said, according to ABC News. “I stand with all of them, and I will not be silenced.”