MN - Journalist Don Lemon arrested for church protest, Minneapolis, 18 Jan 2026

[otto]

@otto I have to ask, why keep referring to Lemon as an "independent journalist" and not just journalist, or Don Lemon? Would your stance be different if he wasnt independent and was there covering the story for a network?
Not picking a fight, just noticed that it seems pointed and I wondered.

That easy - professional journalists, in the traditional sense, are employed. That employment governs their conduct regarding activities and reporting.

In Canada, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is governed by their Journalistic Standards and Practices. It's probably different in the US, but that's how Canadians might interpret the difference between professional journalist and independent journalist.

I'm not interested in debating whether Don Lemon adhered to Canadian journalism standards and practices, or whether he should. I'm answering the question as to why I see a difference between an independent and a professional journalist.

"The trust of the public is our most valued asset. We avoid putting ourselves in real or potential conflict of interest. This is essential to our credibility." ...

Protests and demonstrations, and the right to conduct them, are part of the democratic process. By definition, they are organized to attract the public and the media’s attention. But these situations may evolve and result in confrontation, violence or acts of vandalism.
...

If reporters on one side of a confrontation cannot provide an overview, we ensure the audience receives a broader context in the course of our coverage. ...

We consider the public interest before offering live coverage during a riot or demonstrations. That includes taking into account the possibility of showing scenes of extreme violence. We are also aware that our presence can sometimes in and of itself create a focal point of activity.

If CBC staff has exclusive access to a sit-in or demonstration by advance knowledge, a decision to accompany the organizers should be referred to the Managing Editor.​

https://cbc.radio-canada.ca/en/vision/governance/journalistic-standards-and-practices/introduction

 

[Ruminations]

You copied and pasted highlights of the affidavit to show me that he was obstructing, right? I was responding to what you posted. And I actually think it works well. I haven't read the whole affidavit (as stated in another thread). But I asked for evidence of the obstruction and the response was statements about his questions.

So my question stands then. Is there evidence of him obstructing beyond the sentences of him asking questions?

MOO.

I don't think there is anything in the indictment showing obstruction.

Also, an indictment is from the prosecutor point of view, only. If this charge sticks long enough to go to trial, the defense will be able to add information, context, or deny what is said in the indictment.

If a crime goes to court, a jury has to unanimously agree beyond a reasonable doubt that "obstruction" or any other crime elements took place after more than reading the indictment. They also will have the opportunity to hear other versions or additional context.

As many have pointed out, the force part is a very heavy lift, considering the reels that have already been released.

MOO

 

[J. J. in Phila]

Some of you may wish to take a look at this: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/151/125/497636/

SCOTUS has not heard a case, but there is an issue.

 

[Ruminations]

Let me clarify that when I say something is a lie, I'm talking about the administration and DOJ. From all the videos I've seen, all the news articles I've read, and from skimming the charging documents, I don't believe the administration's claim against LEMON is truthful, and I believe the things said don't rise to the charge, which again, is why two separate judges refused to sign the warrant.

And I'm aware that nothing has been proven in court, but if we're talking about what the question is for the court and obstruction seems to be the prominent theme, then I'm curious what evidence you're looking at, even if it hasn't been presented in court, to make obstruction be what seems to be a done deal.

IMO, this case is about Lemon's role in this event. Journalist or protestor. IMO, he was a journalist and as such, he is protected. I have seen nothing in the countless video clips I've seen from his livestream or the articles I've read about the event that suggest he was a protestor or that he was out of line in his questioning to the point of crossing a line into intimidation, threats, or use of force.

MOO.

Court is where the things in the indictment don't have to be only said. They have to be proven to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. And, unlike in the indictment, a jury will get other sides of the story.

MOO

 

[J. J. in Phila]

Court is where the things in the indictment don't have to be only said. They have to be proven to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. And, unlike in the indictment, a jury will get other sides of the story.

MOO

They could be challenged, but it is next to impossible to do so.

 

[Ruminations]

And there's a saying that grand juries will indict a ham sandwich. It takes very little to get GJ indictment.

MOO.

Right.

It is up to the prosecutors what information they share with the GJ, and almost anything can be shared, including hearsay, etc.

MOO

 

[Mo Thuairim]

Being a recognised member of the press is about training, qualifications and experience, not being a staff writer or an employee of a particular media outlet. You simply apply for your press card as a freelancer/self-employed journalist rather than putting an employer down on the form. You must have certain experience and training to qualify. Don Lemon does. It's not even a debate.

A good chunk of the links we regularly share to back up our posts on WS are written by experienced and skilled freelancers who sell their work to various publications. Many now have their own publishing platforms too. They adhere to the same professional standards as any other journalist and many are award-winning. Most journalists in their career will spend time both freelancing and as staffers and put out work of the same quality. There is no need to look down on 'independent journalists' as a concept.

 

[J. J. in Phila]

Being a recognised member of the press is about training, qualifications and experience, not being a staff writer or an employee of a particular media outlet. You simply apply for your press card as a freelancer/self-employed journalist rather than putting an employer down on the form. You must have certain experience and training to qualify. Don Lemon does. It's not even a debate.

A good chunk of the links we regularly share to back up our posts on WS are written by experienced and skilled freelancers who sell their work to various publications. Many now have their own publishing platforms too. They adhere to the same professional standards as any other journalist and many are award-winning. Most journalists in their career will spend time both freelancing and as staffers and put out work of the same quality. There is no need to look down on 'independent journalists' as a concept.

You may want to look at the citation I posted.

 

[tricia]

Can we please agree to disagree on whether Don Lemon is a journalist?

He was a CNN anchor. He’s won major awards for his reporting. The fact that he now works independently does not erase decades of professional journalism. Most people would still consider him a journalist.
Georgia Fort is also an Emmy Award-winning journalist. She has more than a decade of professional broadcast experience, has worked as both a reporter and anchor, and was one of only two journalists inside the courtroom for the Derek Chauvin sentencing. She is the founder of her own independent newsroom and continues to produce investigative reporting.
So from this point on, in this thread, both Lemon and Fort are to be treated as journalists.

A&E 'Biography' to Spotlight Bobby Brown for New Event & Docuseries

The series, which premiere in May, will take a look at the life of the R&B singer and ex-husband of Whitney Houston.

www.tvinsider.com

https://www.georgiafort.com/about
PS I know the above links are not MSM, but I have researched and have found through various other sources that the info is correct. If you find out anything differently and these links misrepresent their careers, please post so on this thread.

 

[Rolypolyoly]

That easy - professional journalists, in the traditional sense, are employed. That employment governs their conduct regarding activities and reporting.

In Canada, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is governed by their Journalistic Standards and Practices. It's probably different in the US, but that's how Canadians might interpret the difference between professional journalist and independent journalist.

I'm not interested in debating whether Don Lemon adhered to Canadian journalism standards and practices, or whether he should. I'm answering the question as to why I see a difference between an independent and a professional journalist.

"The trust of the public is our most valued asset. We avoid putting ourselves in real or potential conflict of interest. This is essential to our credibility." ...​

​

Protests and demonstrations, and the right to conduct them, are part of the democratic process. By definition, they are organized to attract the public and the media’s attention. But these situations may evolve and result in confrontation, violence or acts of vandalism.​

...​

​

If reporters on one side of a confrontation cannot provide an overview, we ensure the audience receives a broader context in the course of our coverage. ...​

​

We consider the public interest before offering live coverage during a riot or demonstrations. That includes taking into account the possibility of showing scenes of extreme violence. We are also aware that our presence can sometimes in and of itself create a focal point of activity.​

​

If CBC staff has exclusive access to a sit-in or demonstration by advance knowledge, a decision to accompany the organizers should be referred to the Managing Editor.​

https://cbc.radio-canada.ca/en/vision/governance/journalistic-standards-and-practices/introduction

Thankyou for explaining your point of view, I appreciate it.

 

[otto]

Some of you may wish to take a look at this: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/151/125/497636/

SCOTUS has not heard a case, but there is an issue.

Thank you for the link! The three criteria provide important insight into future legal arguments.

"To summarize, we hold that individuals claiming the protections of the journalist's privilege must demonstrate the concurrence of three elements: that they:
1) are engaged in investigative reporting;
2) are gathering news; and
3) possess the intent at the inception of the news-gathering process to disseminate this news to the public."

https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/151/125/497636/

 

[Summerliz03]

Thank you for the link! The three criteria provide important insight into future legal arguments.

"To summarize, we hold that individuals claiming the protections of the journalist's privilege must demonstrate the concurrence of three elements: that they:
1) are engaged in investigative reporting;
2) are gathering news; and
3) possess the intent at the inception of the news-gathering process to disseminate this news to the public."

https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/151/125/497636/

Do you think Don Lemon didn’t do any of those things? From everything that I’ve seen from his livestream, he did all 3.

 

[otto]

Do you think Don Lemon didn’t do any of those things? From everything that I’ve seen from his livestream, he did all 3.

It's not up for debate at this time.

 

[Ruminations]

It's not up for debate at this time.

It is up for debate.

It is not up for debate if Lemon is a journalist.

It IS up for debate if Lemon was acting as a journalist.

And, clearly, if they are the criteria, he was acting as a journalist.

MOO

 

[Summerliz03]

It is up for debate.

It is not up for debate if Lemon is a journalist.

It IS up for debate if Lemon was acting as a journalist.

And, clearly, if they are the criteria, he was acting as a journalist.

MOO

Yes, that’s why I asked the question when that list of criteria was posted. If that’s the criteria that has been set forth in a precedence case, then it definitely is part of the debate. We aren’t debating if Don Lemon is a journalist, it’s about if he was acting as one on the day of the protest. Based on that list of 3 things, it’s very hard to say he didn’t do all 3 of them IMO.

 

[otto]

I would disagree that he was acting as a journalist at the church on the day of the protest, and would cite examples particularly in relation to the point of investigative journalism.

Did he personally investigate whether the target of the protest was at church that morning, or did he take someone else's word for it? My impression is that no one knew that the church-member/federal-officer was not in the church until after the protest began.

 

[Hexe]

I would disagree that he was acting as a journalist at the church on the day of the protest, and would cite examples particularly in relation to the point of investigative journalism.

Did he personally investigate whether the target of the protest was at church that morning, or did he take someone else's word for it? My impression is that no one knew that the church-member/federal-officer was not in the church until after the protest began.

How does that make Lemon not acting like a journalist?

 

[Summerliz03]

I still don’t really get the argument about David Easterwood not being at the church the day of the protest as any sort of “gotcha” moment for the protestors or Don Lemon. The protesters have stated their mission was to inform both the parishioners and the public at large that this church employed an ICE agent. That’s it - they did not feel that the entire leadership of the church was acting in a way that promotes the teachings of Jesus (ie, treat your neighbor as yourself). It did not matter to them that David Easterwood was in the church that day. You can agree or disagree with them and their methods but that was their stated mission. It wasn’t about David Easterwood being present in church the day of their protest. IMO.

 

[otto]

How does that make Lemon not acting like a journalist?

If the goal of the protest in the church was to confront a member of the church leadership because he is employed with federal immigration, wouldn't it be a good idea to ensure that he is at the church during the protest?

If the subject of the protest is not at the location of the protest, what's the point? Surely it wasn't to traumatize the congregation that was there to worship. They aren't responsible for the choices or activities of church members who are absent from church.

If the goal was to simply inform, that could be achieved by handing out a pamphlet after the church meeting ended.

 

[otto]

I still don’t really get the argument about David Easterwood not being at the church the day of the protest as any sort of “gotcha” moment for the protestors or Don Lemon. The protesters have stated their mission was to inform both the parishioners and the public at large that this church employed an ICE agent. That’s it - they did not feel that the entire leadership of the church was acting in a way that promotes the teachings of Jesus (ie, treat your neighbor as yourself). It did not matter to them that David Easterwood was in the church that day. You can agree or disagree with them and their methods but that was their stated mission. It wasn’t about David Easterwood being present in church the day of their protest. IMO.

If the goal was to inform, why the drama? Why the anger?

What was the independent journalist documenting - shock treatment of families with children attending church?

FBI Affidavit in Suport of Arrest Warrant | PDF | U.S. Immigration And Customs Enforcement | American Government

This affidavit, submitted by Special Agent Timothy Gerber, outlines the investigation into a group of agitators who disrupted a religious service at Cities Church in St. Paul, MN on January 18, 2026. The group, led by Nekima Valdez Levy-Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen, coordinated their...

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