In brief
Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor, has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a protest at a Minnesota church over immigration issues. The incident involved accusations of obstructing First Amendment rights during a demonstration that resulted in multiple arrests. Lemon defended his actions as a journalist fulfilling his duty to report.
Former CNN host Don Lemon has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from his coverage of a protest last month at a church over federal immigration raids in Minnesota.Lemon, 59, was charged with conspiracy to deprive rights and interfering with religious freedoms by allegedly obstructing someone's First Amendment rights by force.The arrest came after he went into the Cities Church in St Paul on January 18 with protesters who claimed one of its pastors was an immigration enforcement official.He livestreamed the protest, which led to charges for eight others as well. Lemon did not address reporters as he entered the courtroom on Friday, where a crowd of supporters chanted, [Attorney General] Pam Bondi has got to go, according to the Associated Press.Four co-defendants who were present with Lemon also pleaded not guilty. He has staunchly defended his decision to enter the church, stating it was part of his role as an independent journalist covering significant events.I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now, he asserted following his arrest.During Friday's hearing, his lawyer, Abbe Lowell, raised concerns regarding the seizure of Lemon's cellphone by investigators during his arrest in Los Angeles.Lemon and eight other co-defendants face charges for conspiracy against religious freedom and for intimidation during the protest that disrupted a church service with chants such as ICE out and Justice for Renee Good, the mother of a shooting victim related to immigration enforcement.The events sparked backlash as federal agents were involved in the fatal shootings of protesting individuals in the weeks that followed the demonstration, raising issues regarding the Trump administration's immigration policies, which have since been curtailed.Critics, including White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, condemned the protest actions, emphasizing the importance of protecting religious worship spaces. Lemon, known for his outspoken views, was fired from CNN in April 2023 after years of service.
