Arrest of Black Journalists and ProtestorsHighlights Trump Administration’s Targeted &“Ruthless” Attack on the First Amendment
Former CNN anchor and current independent journalist Don Lemon was arrested Thursday, Jan 29.
The grand jury warrant stem from his presence at a Jan 18 protest outside of Cities Church in St.
Paul, Minnesota where he covered a public demonstration against the pastor there who is also an ICE
field agent. Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles while preparing to cover the Grammy Awards.
General Attorney Pam Bondi stated that she called for the arrest and the Justice Department vowed
to go after them, utilizing federal law enforcement for an interstate arrest of journalists who should
have First Amendment protections. The arrest of Lemon, Minneapolis journalist Georgia Fort and
two others is the latest indication of a vengeful administration that has made targeting journalists
and the news industry the first strategy in its desire to undo the pillars of democracy.
“Arresting Black journalists for covering a protest is a violation of the most basic principles of the 1st
amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This administration is determined to deny not only the
constitutional rights of its citizens and residents, but the human rights of all who oppose its racist
agenda.” said Anshantia Oso, Executive Director of Media 2070.
“This administration is systematically going after newsrooms, journalists and Black writers and
creatives are particularly at risk,” continued Oso, “They are leveraging real resources for this work and
it’s the most recent in long and frightening history of Black reporters facing violence for attempting
to tell stories that challenge the status quo of race and power.”
Lemon and others were reporting on protests in response to the shooting death of Renee Good. As
reported by PBS Shooting deaths by Federal agents have climbed under this administration.
Ultimately, Lemon’s arrest highlights a disturbing trend that threatens to compound in the near
future as Trump invades Americans’ First Amendment rights even further.
Oso is open to interviews. Please visit mediareparations.org
Courtesy of Media 2070
About Media 2070: Media 2070 is committed to the radical dismantling of oppressive news structures
and media systems. This work is an idea, welcoming critique and feedback. It is liberation work
within a lineage of civil-rights activism, racial-justice organizing and calls for reparations.