Former CNN news anchor and independent journalist Don Lemon was arrested on January 29th following his coverage of a protest against the Trump administration’s actions regarding immigration.
Lemon regularly livestreams current events on various social media sites as a part of his independent journalism. Days before his arrest, on January 18th, he livestreamed a protest against the deployment of thousands of armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials into Minnesota’s cities. The protest made it to a service at Cities Church in St. Paul, where a pastor is affiliated with ICE.
He was released on the 30th and two weeks later pleaded not guilty to charges stating he violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The FACE Act, originally created to protect abortion clinics from obstruction or violence, also prevents interference or intimidation of anyone at a place of religious worship. Penalties for violation can range from up to a year in prison to a $10,000 fine.
Lemon responded soon after, stating, “I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now.” He also went on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, explaining that the public nature of his arrest, in his opinion, was done on purpose to embarrass him.
Also immediately after the arrest, free press advocates and fellow journalists showed support for Lemon. The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) came out with a statement expressing that they are “outraged and deeply alarmed by the arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort.” Georgia Fort is another award-winning, independent black journalist that was arrested for the same charges as Don Lemon in January.
CNN even released a statement defending Lemon, who they terminated in 2023. They expressed concern over the arrest, stating that it raises “profoundly concerning questions about press freedom and the First Amendment.”
The arrest indeed raised concerns over the First Amendment across the country, which protects the freedom of the press. Many supporters of the arrest, however, believe Lemon’s actions violated the religious freedom of churchgoers at Cities Church.
Consider your beliefs on the issue: Was Don Lemon fulfilling his duty as a journalist or truly breaking the law?