Independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort remain committed to their craft following their recent arrests during an anti-ICE protest in Minnesota. Both reporters were taken into custody while covering an event at the Cities Church in St. Paul, where a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official serves as pastor.
Details of the Arrests
Lemon, a well-known former CNN anchor, and Fort, a local Minnesota reporter, were released from federal custody after facing public outcry from journalism organizations and human rights advocates. They were indicted on charges associated with disrupting a religious service. However, both journalists assert that they were merely acting in their journalistic capacity.
Statements from the Journalists
- During his YouTube show, Lemon emphasized the importance of solidarity among journalists worldwide.
- “I will not be silenced,” he declared, highlighting the broader issue of journalistic freedoms being threatened.
- Fort argued that the arrests signal a troubling trend for journalists, stating, “I needed the world to see that journalism is on trial.”
Fort, a native of Minnesota, expressed her determination to continue covering the stories that matter to her community. She characterized the arrests as sending a “chilling message” to the media industry.
Legal Proceedings
A federal magistrate had previously denied the approval for Lemon’s arrest due to insufficient evidence. This decision was upheld by a chief federal appeals court judge in Minnesota, who noted a lack of evidence supporting any criminal actions in Lemon’s reporting.
Abbe Lowell, Lemon’s attorney, described the arrest as “an unprecedented attack on the First Amendment.” He assured that Lemon would mount a vigorous defense against the charges. Likewise, Fort’s attorney, Leita Walker, confirmed that she too would vigorously contest the allegations against her client.
This situation has sparked debates about the safety and rights of journalists in the United States. As the legal battles continue, both Lemon and Fort remain steadfast in their roles, vowing to uphold the principles of journalism amid these challenges.
