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

[SouthAussie]

I think it is pretty clear, as he brought a videographer, that he thought something would go down that might be a story.

He was doing journalism. And journalism is not a crime.

MOO

I would go as far as to say that the videographer brought Don, not the other way round.

That is my impression from the article I posted about Jerome Richardson. Jerome seems to have wanted the hypocrisy reported of the ICE director being a pastor of that church.

imo

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Former CNN anchor turned independent journalist Don Lemon pleaded not guilty Friday to federal civil rights charges stemming from his coverage of a January 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The case has become a flashpoint in debates over press freedom, with Lemon vowing he will “not be intimidated” and will “not back down.”

Judge Rejects DOJ Charges Against Don Lemon as He Pleads Not Guilty | EURweb | Black News, Culture, Entertainment & More

Don Lemon pleads not guilty to federal charges after judge rejects DOJ case. Viral $25 million lawsuit claim is false.

eurweb.com

 

[Hexe]

Right now, that is questionable. He knew that an action was to take place and refused to leave when asked.

Still, he never claimed he has immunity because he is a journo.

MOO

 

[Hexe]

He did enter with them and knew that there would be some action.

Last time I checked entering a church was not a crime.

MOO

 

[witchway]

No, it does not. There are areas cordoned off from the public at fires or crime scenes. The press cannot get past those.

A journalist cannot engage in illegal activity while "doing journalism" and claim that he is exempt from that law.

MOO.

Press with a pass can get past fire lines and police lines. It’s not against the law.

source https://www.lapdonline.org/public-communications-group/media-relations-division/press-pass-policy/

 

[Ruminations]

I would go as far as to say that the videographer brought Don, not the other way round.

That is my impression from the article I posted about Jerome Richardson. Jerome seems to have wanted the hypocrisy reported of the ICE director being a pastor of that church.

imo

I don't disagree.

Don is also approaching this very secularly.

There were a lot of devout Christians in the protest group who cited their spirituality as part of their motivation for speaking up for murder, kidnapping and assault victims of ICE.

But Don Lemon has the most recognizable name and face, so he is being discussed the most.

MOO

 

[J. J. in Phila]

Last time I checked entering a church was not a crime.

MOO

Last time I checked the FACE Act, it was, if the purpose was disruption.

IMO.

 

[Ruminations]

I agree on the lead statement. But.... we have very different views regarding the rest of your post.

The FACE Act clearly states that it is illegal intimidate people at a place of worship from practicing first amendment rights- period.

Neither the ACLU nor the SPLC, nor any other established civil liberties group has questioned the applicability of the charges to the protesters. That is pretty telling and could well indicate that they are in big trouble.

Then factor in the idea that people have protest rights, but need to stay out of churches, mosques, synagogues and temples might resonate pretty deep with a certain number of jurors.

In regards to the charges against Lemon, I think he is going to get squeezed, but I my confidence is lower. Two judges refused to issue warrants. Yet, neither judge rejected the applicability of the charges out right.

In the end, the fact that the protest and target were plastered all over Minneapolis, but none of the big boy networks decided to respond to: "Hey CNN, FOX and CBS wanna get the inside scoop on our protest at the Church? We are rolling out soon!!" could be telling. Little voices might have told them it was legally a bad idea.

As to the loyalty of the protesters to their cause and to each other. Humans and humans and groups of humans usually fragment. Not all of them might have signed up for the risk of criminal charges.

We are talking about the journalists' arrests on this thread. And the ACLU is not a fan of their arrests.

ACLU and ACLU of Minnesota React to the Trump Administration's Arrests of Journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort | American Civil Liberties Union

Their overnight detention and arrests are the latest example of President Trump and his administration attacking freedom of the press.

www.aclu.org

 

[J. J. in Phila]

Press with a pass can get past fire lines and police lines.

source https://www.lapdonline.org/public-communications-group/media-relations-division/press-pass-policy/

That depends and those types of passes are issued by the police.

Note that Lemon would probably not be able to get one of those cards, though someone could be reporter and not qualify.

 

[Hexe]

Last time I checked the FACE Act, it was, if the purpose was disruption.

IMO.

Disruption of the service is illegal, entering the church is not. And I haven't seen any evidence Lemon disrupted anything.

MOO

 

[witchway]

Because, under FACE, it is cordoned area. If he were to follow a group of anti-abortion activists into a clinic, it would be the ame situation.

Not as a reporter.

 

[J. J. in Phila]

Peppering someone with questions after being asked to leave clearly is being disruptive. '

IMO

 

[Hexe]

Peppering someone with questions after being asked to leave clearly is being disruptive. '

IMO

Hard to disrupt the service that already ended (prematurely, but still).

MOO

 

[witchway]

Peppering someone with questions after being asked to leave clearly is being disruptive. '

IMO

Disruptive? Irritating? perhaps.. Although the minister was no longer preaching. Breaking a law? No way in my opinion.

 

[J. J. in Phila]

Not as a reporter.

Yes, and we saw it Federal Jury Convicts Six Defendants of Obstructing Access to Reproductive Health Services Facility in Violation of the FACE Act and Other Civil Rights Statutes | ArentFox Schiff

IMO.

 

[witchway]

That depends and those types of passes are issued by the police.

Note that Lemon would probably not be able to get one of those cards, though someone could be reporter and not qualify.

What are you saying? Please provide sources to substantiate this statement.

 

[J. J. in Phila]

Hard to disrupt the service that already ended (prematurely, but still).

MOO

That is the disruption.

IMO

 

[witchway]

Yes, and we saw it Federal Jury Convicts Six Defendants of Obstructing Access to Reproductive Health Services Facility in Violation of the FACE Act and Other Civil Rights Statutes | ArentFox Schiff

IMO.

That was a conspiracy to blockade a clinic.

 

[J. J. in Phila]

What are you saying? Please provide sources to substantiate this statement.

Take a look at the link you posted.

From that:

"Provide three (3) letters on original business letterhead, signed by a news director, editor, or person in charge, stating the applicant has completed assignments requiring the need to cover news events at which police and/or fire lines within the City of Los Angeles are established, OR; provide three (3) examples of work credited to the applicant from the last six (6) months. The samples must show the applicant performed work that required access passed established police or fire lines. Such examples can include articles, photographs, videos, or other forms of media. The examples can be provided in print, PDF format, or through links to sites where the example can be viewed."

A person would have to show that he has a need to cross the lines by showing previous stories within the last 6 months. Lemon would probably not quality.

 

[J. J. in Phila]

That was a conspiracy to blockade a clinic.

The account says one was livestreaming it, from the outside. He was found guilty.

IMO