Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor, was arrested on federal charges early on January 20, 2023, linked to an anti-ICE protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The demonstration occurred on January 18, when a group of protesters interrupted a church service to voice opposition against the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to reports, the protest was particularly impactful as one of the church’s pastors also serves as the acting field director for the St. Paul ICE office.
A recently released affidavit from the FBI reveals that numerous parishioners expressed concern for their children who were in the church’s childcare during the protest. Eyewitness accounts indicated that protesters allegedly blocked access to the childcare area, preventing parents from retrieving their children. Some protesters reportedly confronted young attendees, making inflammatory comments about their parents. These actions intensified the alarm among those attending the service.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed via social media that Lemon was arrested “at my direction.” Alongside Lemon, three others were apprehended: journalist Georgia Fort, activist Trahern Jeen Crews, and Jamael Lydell Lundy, a notable figure in the Black Lives Matter movement. At least three additional individuals had been arrested previously in connection with the protest.
Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, stated that charges against Lemon were initially rejected by a magistrate judge. He explained that Lemon was detained by federal agents in Los Angeles while covering the Grammy Awards. Lowell characterized the arrest as an “unprecedented attack on the First Amendment” and affirmed that Lemon intends to contest the charges in court.
Details of the Protest and Legal Actions
During the protest, demonstrators chanted “ICE out” as they interrupted the church service. In response to the incident, the Justice Department prepared a criminal complaint against eight individuals, including Lemon. The complaint cited a law that safeguards the rights of individuals participating in religious services. A federal magistrate judge reviewed the evidence but only approved charges against three individuals: Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Allen, and William Kelly. The judge did not authorize arrest warrants for Lemon and others, citing insufficient evidence. Subsequently, the Justice Department sought additional warrants from a federal appeals court, but this request was denied.
The criminal charges facing Lemon and his co-defendants include interfering with someone’s religious freedom in a house of worship and conspiracy to deprive rights. Lemon is set to appear in federal court later on January 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. Reports suggest that the defense will likely argue the case on First Amendment grounds, asserting that Lemon was engaging in journalistic activities rather than participating in the protest.
Lemon’s Background and Response
Lemon, who has transitioned to independent journalism since leaving CNN after 17 years in 2023, has been a prominent figure in media. His career has included significant criticism of former President Donald Trump, whom he has frequently described as dishonest. The journalist emphasized in a recent statement that his action at the church was consistent with his role as a reporter. He stated, “Once the protest started in the church, we did an act of journalism, which was report on it and talk to the people involved.”
Further support for Lemon came from Fort, who also indicated that she faced indictment. The pair have both maintained that their presence at the church was to provide coverage of the protest against the federal government’s immigration policies in Minnesota.
The FBI affidavit detailing the protest included testimonies from parishioners who felt threatened and blocked from exiting the building. One individual noted that the church’s narrow aisles became congested due to the protesters, making it difficult for congregants to leave. Some expressed fears that demonstrators may have been armed, increasing the tension during the incident.
As legal proceedings unfold, the case raises significant questions about the balance between protest activities and the rights of individuals engaged in worship. Lemon’s team is preparing to mount a robust defense, asserting that the actions taken during the protest were part of his journalistic duties, protected under the First Amendment. The outcome of this case could have implications for the intersection of journalism, civil rights, and public demonstrations in the United States.
