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

[witchway]

This kind of civil lawsuit would have nothing to do with freedom of the press. Journalists are held accountable for their actions just as other citizens are. Lots of lawsuits have been brought against journalists and/or their employers and these civil lawsuits are important to protect those harmed in various ways. I think we will see more lawsuits like this be filed against all the people who stormed the church and harmed congregants while violated their civil rights.

Correct, let’s get those 2 journalists that were reporting on a protest against the director of ice where Renee Good was killed just weeks earlier. Forget about what the protest was about. <modsnip> keep those pesky journalists out. Nothing to see here. JMO

 

[sds71]

A judge has rejected the Trump administration's bid to delay Don Lemon's case after the journalist was hit with federal civil rights charges over his coverage of an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protest at a Minnesota church.

According to a court order reviewed by Newsweek, U.S. Magistrate Douglas Micko on Monday rejected the government's motion to designate the case as complex under the Speedy Trial Act and allow a three-month extension for discovery obligations.

However, the judge agreed that more time was justified because of the volume of material involved, extending the government's deadline for disclosures by 30 days.

Don Lemon scores legal win in church protest case

Lemon was hit with federal civil rights charges over his coverage of an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church.

www.newsweek.com

Philadelphia City Council recognizes Temple student charged alongside Don Lemon after Minnesota ICE protest

Jerome Richardson, a Minnesota native, said he helped Lemon coordinate coverage of a protest at a St. Paul church last month.

www.cbsnews.com

Philly student arrested after covering Minnesota protest with Don Lemon recognized by City Council

Temple University student Jerome Richardson was indicted with journalist Don Lemon and several others after helping Lemon cover an anti-ICE protest at the Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Richardson was recognized by Philadelphia City Council on Thursday.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[SouthAussie]

Correct, let’s get those 2 journalists that were reporting on a protest against the director of ice where Renee Good was killed just weeks earlier. Forget about what the protest was about. <modsnip> keep those pesky journalists out. Nothing to see here. JMO

My feeling is that she probably lumped Don in with the protesters in her lawsuit not because she was scared of him standing there reporting on the protest, but more because he is likely the one with the most assets to sue for.

imo

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

This kind of civil lawsuit would have nothing to do with freedom of the press. Journalists are held accountable for their actions just as other citizens are. Lots of lawsuits have been brought against journalists and/or their employers and these civil lawsuits are important to protect those harmed in various ways. I think we will see more lawsuits like this be filed against all the people who stormed the church and harmed congregants while violating their civil rights.

I think it has a lot to do with freedom of the press. It guarantees that the right of the press to gather news. Take out the criminal side of it since that isn't necessary for a civil lawsuit to proceed. If someone can claim a reporter's gathering or filming of news events was traumatizing because the news event itself was traumatizing, it would set a very dangerous precedent.

Also, I'd be curious how their entering of the church caused such severe distress that they could sue for it. I'm sure it was upsetting, but I believe there's a legal bar they have to hit to prove intentional infliction of distress and win a civil lawsuit. I'm just not sure I'd see that as it applies to DL.

 

[SouthAussie]

I have been doing a bit of reading about the first amendment clause that guarantees freedom of the press.

This case law may apply in this case, as the ICE director/pastor is a public official.

• New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964), in which the court held the press is largely free from any adverse act or court action if it attempts truthfully to report news of public concern; and when the news involves a public official, even erroneous reportage has a high degree of protection.

Freedom of the press

Freedom of the press protects the right to gather information and report it to others. This vital freedom helps protect democracy.

firstamendment.mtsu.edu