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 18 January with protesters who said one of its pastors was an immigration enforcement official. He livestreamed the protest in an incident that resulted in charges for eight others as well. Lemon did not speak as he entered the courtroom on Friday in St Paul, Minnesota, where two dozen protesters were gathered to support him, chanting [Attorney General] Pam Bondi has got to go. Four co-defendants who were there with Lemon also pleaded not guilty. Lemon has defended his decision to enter the church, saying he was simply carrying out his duty as an independent journalist covering a protest. I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now, he said soon after he was arrested. During Friday's hearing, one of Lemon's lawyers expressed concerns that investigators had taken Lemon's cellphone when they arrested him in Los Angeles late last month. Lemon and eight other co-defendants, including another journalist, have been charged with conspiracy against religious freedom at a place of worship and interfering with the exercise of the right of religious freedom at a place of worship. The protest interrupted a church service, with chants like ICE out and Justice for Renee Good—the mother of three fatally shot by a US ICE officer last month. Lemon insists he was there as a journalist and not affiliated with the protestors. The chaotic scene that unfolded at the church was marked by shouts from both protesters and congregants. Additionally, federal agents killed another protestor, Alex Pretti, during protests against immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. Lemon, who was let go from CNN in April 2023, made headlines for critical remarks about the Trump administration's policies, adding more tension surrounding his current situation.
Don Lemon Declares Not Guilty in Controversial Church Protest Case
Don Lemon Declares Not Guilty in Controversial Church Protest Case
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon faces legal issues after pleading not guilty to charges related to a protest in Minnesota. The incident stirred significant media attention.
Don Lemon, the former CNN host, has pleaded not guilty to charges connected to a protest at a church in Minnesota, where activists clashed over immigration enforcement. Lemon claims to have acted as a journalist during the protest, which was marked by disruptions and demonstrations against federal immigration raids. The case has garnered widespread attention, highlighting tensions surrounding immigration policies.
