On Friday morning, federal authorities arrested independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort in connection with a protest that disrupted a January 7 service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, officials said. Lemon and Fort maintain they were there as journalists covering the event, but authorities say the arrests are tied to the protest.
Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on social media that the arrests were made “at my direction,” and federal agents took them into custody.
Lemon, who is openly gay and a former longtime reporter for CNN, now runs his own independent news organization. Fort is an independent journalist and vice president of the Minneapolis chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). Fort livestreamed federal agents arriving at her home and being served an arrest warrant.
Organizations are now releasing statements about the arrests of the journalists.
“NABJ is outraged and deeply alarmed by the arrest of veteran journalist Don Lemon by federal agents in Los Angeles while he was working, and by the government’s escalating effort and actions to criminalize and threaten press freedom under the guise of law enforcement.”
NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists statement:
“NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists condemns the arrests of journalist and NLGJA Lifetime Member Don Lemon and journalist Georgia Fort for engaging in newsgathering. Their arrests should alarm all Americans who believe in the Constitution and a functioning democracy.
The federal government cannot arrest journalists simply because it objects to their reporting. Journalists must be allowed to document protests and matters of public concern without fear of detention or prosecution, as guaranteed by the First Amendment.
NLGJA joins other journalism organizations in calling for the immediate release of Lemon and Fort and a clear explanation of the legal basis for their arrests. We stand with them today, and with all journalists who have been threatened, demeaned, and targeted by this administration An attack on one journalist is an attack on press freedom itself. A free and independent press must be protected. NLGJA stands with Lemon, Fort and all other journalists who have been targeted simply for doing their constitutionally protected jobs.”
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis’ statement:
“Journalists are under siege in America by our own government. The arrests of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort have alarmed citizens nationwide, who do not want American freedoms and the rule of law to be replaced by harassment and state-sponsored disinformation. The freedom of the press is a cornerstone of American democracy, but that pillar is being shockingly eroded by government intimidation.”
CEO of Translash media Imara Jones:
“The arrest of fellow journalist Don Lemon for exercising Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press is completely unacceptable. The ongoing targeting of our profession by this Administration pushes us further into authoritarianism. It’s unconstitutional and it has to end.”
Human Rights Campaign statement:
“Donald Trump and Pam Bondi are escalating a war on freedom in America.
When journalists can be detained for covering protests, none of us are safe. None of us are free.”