Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor, was arrested on Thursday evening on federal charges relating to a protest at a church in Minnesota earlier this month. He was released on Friday after appearing before a federal court in Los Angeles. The US Department of Justice charged Lemon and three others with civil rights crimes, including interfering with religious freedom and conspiracy.
Outside the courthouse, Lemon vowed to continue his work as a journalist, saying, 'The first amendment to the US Constitution protects that work for me and countless other journalists who do what I do. I stand with all of them, and I will not be silenced.' His lawyer, Abbe Lowell, criticised the Trump administration for targeting journalists instead of investigating the deaths of two protesters in Minnesota.
The charges include a violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (Face) Act, typically used to protect abortion clinics. However, this is the first time the act has been applied to a place of worship since the Trump administration took office. The White House celebrated the arrest on social media, posting: 'When life gives you Lemons,' alongside a chain emoji.
Independent journalist Georgia Fort was also arrested. She said, 'As a member of the press, I filmed the church protest a few weeks ago, and now I'm being arrested for that.' The arrests have drawn widespread condemnation from press freedom advocates, former colleagues, and members of Congress. CNN called the arrest 'profoundly concerning' and noted that a federal judge had previously found no evidence of criminal behaviour.
