Don Lemon Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for RFK Ripple Of Hope Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Former CNN anchor Don Lemon has been arrested over an anti-ICE protest that took place in a Minnesota church during Sunday services last week. "Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy awards," according to a statement attributed to Lemon's attorney, Abbe Lowell. "Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done. The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable. There is no more important time for people like Don to be doing this work." Related Stories News The Guerrilla L.A. Projection Artists Sticking It to ICE Music Lady Gaga Slams ICE During Tokyo Concert: Americans "Being Mercilessly Targeted" "At my direction, early this morning federal agents arrested Don Lemon, Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy, in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota," Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X, promising "more details soon." Fort is also an independent journalist, who posted a Facebook livestream of the protest. Lemon, who now hosts a show on YouTube and other social platforms, was on a livestream that began outside the church in St. Paul, but followed protestors a they went inside, alleging that a church official also worked at a local ICE office. The journalist proceeded to interview protestors, congregants and a pastor during the protest. The blowback to the protest was swift, and there are laws (most notably the FACE Act) that make it a crime to obstruct someone from practicing their religion, which would almost certainly apply to a Sunday church service. Of course, America also has robust First Amendment protections, making this case a potential landmark one as the right to free exercise of religion and the right to freedom of the press collide. Shortly after the protest, Lemon became a target of conservative influencers and politicians, many of them demanding his arrest over what they saw on the stream. Other protestors involved in the protest were arrested last week, though a magistrate judge at the time refused to sign on to the initial charges for Lemon. In interviews after the protest, Lemon said that he was covering it as a journalist, speaking to anyone willing to talk with him. "Instead of investigating the federal agents who killed two peaceful Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Department is devoting its time, attention and resources to this arrest, and that is the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case," Lowell added. "This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand. Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court." THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up THR, Esq Brendan Carr Responds to Kimmel Over New FCC Equal Time Rules: "If You're Fake News, You're Not Going to Qualify" Rambling Reporter The Guerrilla L.A. Projection Artists Sticking It to ICE THR, Esq 'The Rip' Director Joe Carnahan Accused of Sexual Battery In Lawsuit From Former Partner Kennedy Center Kennedy Center Official Resigns Less Than Two Weeks After Hiring Today Matt Lauer Accuser Details Alleged Rape and Complicated Relationship in New Book Ray J Ray J Says He Only Has Months to Live Following Hospitalization: "2027 Is Definitely a Wrap for Me" THR, Esq Brendan Carr Responds to Kimmel Over New FCC Equal Time Rules: "If You're Fake News, You're Not Going to Qualify" Rambling Reporter The Guerrilla L.A. Projection Artists Sticking It to ICE THR, Esq 'The Rip' Director Joe Carnahan Accused of Sexual Battery In Lawsuit From Former Partner Kennedy Center Kennedy Center Official Resigns Less Than Two Weeks After Hiring Today Matt Lauer Accuser Details Alleged Rape and Complicated Relationship in New Book Ray J Ray J Says He Only Has Months to Live Following Hospitalization: "2027 Is Definitely a Wrap for Me"