Journalist Including Don Lemon & Georgia Fort Released After Arrest for Covering Protest, Raising Alarms About the Future of Press Freedom in America

A federal judge on Friday ordered the release of journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon, who were arrested in connection with an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a church service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The ruling came after both journalists made initial court appearances related to the January 18 protest.

Fort, an independent journalist, livestreamed the moments before her arrest on Facebook, telling viewers that “agents are at my door right now” and confirming that she was being taken into custody under a grand jury indictment. Her legal team emphasized that she was present only to document events of public interest. One of her attorneys stated that Fort’s reporting activity was protected by the First Amendment and described the arrest as an unconstitutional attempt to intimidate members of the press. When Fort and other defendants entered the courtroom, spectators responded with audible applause.

The judge ruled that Fort should be released because she is not accused of a violent offense. She appeared alongside two accused protesters, with all three facing charges of conspiracy against the right of religious freedom at a place of worship and interference with the exercise of that right. Fort’s attorney Kevin Riach called the prosecution “outrageous,” describing it as a troubling moment for justice in the country.

Former federal prosecutor and current St. Thomas law professor Mark Osler expressed surprise at the arrests of Fort and Lemon, saying prosecutions involving protected press activity raise serious alarm for journalists, legal professionals, and the public.

Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles while covering the Grammy Awards, according to his attorney Abbe Lowell. Lemon has said he was acting solely as a journalist and had no affiliation with the protest organizers. He faces charges of conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshippers and was also released following his court appearance. Lowell stressed that Lemon’s three-decade career reflects constitutionally protected reporting.

Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly confirmed the arrests, which also included journalists Trahern Jeen Crews and Jamael Lydell Lundy. Separately, several protesters, including civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, were charged in connection with the same incident

Link: CBS