Don Lemon and Georgia Fort Vow to Continue Reporting Following Arrests Tied to Anti-ICE Protest

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort have pledged to continue their reporting and vigorously fight federal charges filed against them, following their arrests in connection with covering an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church. Their release from federal custody on Friday has ignited a fierce debate over press freedom, with journalism organizations and human rights advocates condemning the arrests as a serious threat to the First Amendment.

The case centers on whether Lemon, a former CNN anchor, and Fort, a local Minnesota reporter, were acting as journalists documenting a newsworthy event or as participants in a demonstration. Both have unequivocally stated they were present solely in a journalistic capacity.

In his first public comments since his release, Lemon addressed the issue directly on his YouTube show, framing the arrests as a dangerous escalation in attempts to control the public narrative.

"This is a moment for journalists around the world to stand up for each other," Lemon stated, adopting a resolute tone. "It may have started with people having their due process rights violated on the streets, violently violated on the streets. But now they're trying to silence journalists. And I will not be silenced."

The Indictment and the Protest

A federal grand jury in Minnesota indicted both Fort and Lemon on charges related to the interruption of a religious service. The indictment stems from their presence at a protest that took place at the Cities Church in St. Paul.

• The Event: Activists organized a protest at the church to draw attention to its connection with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
• The Connection: An official with ICE serves as a pastor at the church, making it a target for groups opposing the agency's immigration policies.
• The Charges: The indictment accuses the journalists of actions related to the disruption of the service, a charge they and their legal teams vehemently deny. They maintain their only activity was observing and recording the events as they unfolded.

A "Chilling Message" for the Media

Georgia Fort, a Minnesota native who filmed federal agents arriving at her home for her arrest early Friday morning, described the experience as a direct assault on the profession of journalism itself.

Speaking with CNN's Anderson Cooper shortly after her release, Fort warned that the legal action sends a "chilling message" to reporters across the country, regardless of their platform or employer.

• Journalism on Trial: "As journalists, we never want to be the story," Fort explained. "But unfortunately, I did find myself in a predicament where I felt that I needed to be able to tell my own story, that I needed the world to see that journalism is on trial."
• A Dangerous Precedent: She voiced concern that her arrest could signal a broader trend. "If they can criminalize a journalist here in Minnesota, whether you're independent or not, I think that we've seen a track record where this is just going to continue to escalate."
• Commitment to Community: Despite the ordeal, Fort affirmed her dedication to her work, stating, "I will continue to tell the stories of my community."

A Contentious Legal Battle Looms

The path to the journalists' arrests was notably fraught, with significant judicial pushback against the prosecution's efforts, raising questions about the foundation of the government's case.

Judicial Skepticism

Prior to the grand jury indictment, prosecutors faced hurdles in securing arrest warrants.

• Initial Rejection: A federal magistrate judge initially reviewed the case against Lemon and declined to approve an arrest warrant, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to establish probable cause.
• Appeals Court Concurs: When a prosecutor appealed that decision, the chief federal appeals court judge in Minnesota sided with the magistrate. In a written opinion, the appeals judge stated there was "no evidence" of any criminal behavior in Lemon's work at the protest.

Despite these earlier rulings, the federal grand jury proceeded with the indictment, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal confrontation.

The Defense Responds

Attorneys for both Lemon and Fort have issued strong statements, signaling their intent to mount a robust defense centered on fundamental First Amendment protections.

• Lemon's Legal Position: Abbe Lowell, the prominent attorney representing Don Lemon, called the arrest "an unprecedented attack on the First Amendment" in a social media post. Lowell confirmed that Lemon "will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court."
• Fort's Legal Position: Leita Walker, an attorney for Georgia Fort, told the Columbia Journalism Review that her client was clearly acting as a journalist. Walker affirmed that Fort "will be vigorously defending herself against these charges."

What's Next: The Implications for Press Freedom

The arrests of two journalists—one a high-profile national figure and the other a dedicated local reporter—have galvanized press freedom advocates, who see the case as a critical test of a reporter's right to cover dissent without fear of prosecution.

The core of the upcoming legal battle will likely revolve around the distinction between active participation and journalistic observation. The defense will argue that their clients' presence, with cameras and recording equipment, is the very definition of newsgathering, an activity protected by the Constitution.

The outcome of this case could have profound and lasting implications, potentially setting a new precedent for how law enforcement interacts with the press at protests and other contentious events. As the legal proceedings unfold, the journalism community and civil liberties organizations will be watching closely, viewing the fate of Lemon and Fort as intrinsically linked to the health and future of a free press in America.

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Disclosure: This reporter and Don Lemon were colleagues at CNN from August 2019 to April 2023.