Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles in the early morning of Jan. 30 in connection with his coverage of an anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement protest at a Minnesota church on Jan. 18.
The arrest occurred while Lemon was in Los Angeles covering the Grammy Awards, even though his attorney previously told authorities he was willing to turn himself in. Lemon traveled to St. Paul, Minn., on Jan. 18 to cover a protest at Cities Church against the pastor David Easterwood, a top ICE official for the city.
Protesters interrupted a Sunday service, chanting slogans such as “ICE out” and “David Easterwood, out now!”
A grand jury in Minnesota charged Lemon and eight other people with conspiracy and interfering with the rights of worshippers under the First Amendment.
Prosecutors have also alleged that they violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, known as the FACE Act, which prohibits the use of force to prevent people from obtaining reproductive health services.
The act also includes provisions that protect access to places of worship. Alongside Lemon, journalist Georgia Fort and activists Trahern Jeen Crews and Jamael Lydell Lundy were arrested and charged, but they were all later released after initial court appearances on Jan. 30.
Lemon has maintained that he was at Cities Church to perform his journalistic duties, not to participate in the protest that unfolded. During his livestream from inside the church, Lemon repeatedly said, “I’m not here as an activist. I’m here as a journalist.”
He argued that his presence at the protest was necessary to document the events that occurred and provide transparency to the public. “I have spent my entire career covering the news – I will not stop now,” Lemon said outside the Los Angeles courthouse after being released from custody.
“In fact, there is no more important time than right now, this very moment, for a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth and holds those in power accountable.”
As part of his release, his defense team agreed that he would have no contact with any known co-defendants, witnesses or victims. He is now also required to obtain court approval before traveling internationally.
One of Lemon’s attorneys, Marilyn Bednarski, has stated that Lemon plans to plead not guilty during his next court appearance on Feb. 9 as he continues to fight against the charges.
