Former CNN news anchor Don Lemon has been released from custody after he was charged over an anti-ICE church protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church.
Lemon was charged with conspiring to deprive others of their civil rights and violating a law that has been used to clamp down on demonstrations at abortion clinics, but also forbids obstructing access to houses of worship.
Six other people who were at the protest, including another journalist, are facing the same charges.
Speaking to reporters after a court appearance in California, Lemon declared: “I will not be silenced.”
It came as thousands of protesters took to the streets in Minneapolis and students across the US staged walkouts on Friday to demand the withdrawal of federal immigration agents from Minnesota following the fatal shootings of two US citizens.
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Don Lemon outside federal court. Pic: Reuters
Lemon was one of four people detained in connection with the protest inside Cities Church in St Paul during a service on 18 January.
The 59-year-old, now an independent journalist, livestreamed the demonstration, which took place because activists alleged that a pastor associated with the church also held a leadership role within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Inside the church, the defendants shouted slogans and blew whistles after the sermon was about to start, with the pastor and congregants perceiving “threats of violence”, according to prosecutors.
Lemon has maintained he was observing the protest as a reporter.
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US attorney general Pam Bondi confirmed the arrests on social media. Pic: Reuters
US attorney general Pam Bondi confirmed the arrests on social media on Friday.
She wrote: “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.
“More details soon.”
Donald Trump, who has criticised the protesters in Minnesota, blamed the Cities Church demonstration on “agitators and insurrectionists” who he claimed wanted to intimidate Christian worshippers.
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Minneapolis protest on 30 January. Pic: AP
In court in Los Angeles, assistant US attorney Alexander Robbins argued for a $100,000 (£73,000) bond, telling a judge that Lemon “knowingly joined a mob that stormed into a church”.
But he was released without having to post money and was granted permission to travel to France in June while the case is pending.
‘Unprecedented attack on First Amendment’
Defence attorney Marilyn Bednarski said Lemon plans to plead not guilty and fight the charges in Minnesota.
Abbe Lowell, Lemon’s lawyer, called the arrest an “unprecedented attack on the First Amendment” – which includes freedom of the press – and said his client will “fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court”.
Mr Lowell said: “Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done.
“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.
“This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand.”
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Mr Lowell said Lemon had been in Los Angeles covering the upcoming Grammy Awards at the time of his arrest.
In a statement, CNN also criticised the arrest of their former presenter, and said it “raises profoundly concerning questions about press freedom”.
DOJ opens probe into Alex Pretti’s death
It comes as US deputy attorney general Todd Blanche confirmed the Department of Justice (DOJ) had opened a federal investigation into a potential civil rights violation regarding the killing of Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed by border control agents last Saturday.
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Alex Pretti seen in earlier clash with immigration officers
Mr Blanche said: “We’re looking at everything that would shed light on that day.”
The killing of the 37-year-old ICU nurse came weeks after Renee Good was shot dead in her car, less than a mile from where Mr Pretti was fatally shot.
Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said earlier this week that two agents who fired their guns during Mr Pretti’s shooting have been placed on administrative leave.