Don Lemon, the former CNN host, was released from custody without bail after his court appearance in Los Angeles on Friday. He had been arrested earlier that day for his involvement in a livestreaming protest at a Minnesota church where anti-ICE agitators had disrupted services. The charges against him include conspiracy to deprive rights and violation of the FACE Act, which makes it a federal crime to use or threaten to use force to intimidate or interfere with someone exercising their First Amendment right.
During his court appearance, Lemon told reporters that he will not stop covering news despite facing potential charges. He stated that as a journalist, his role is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable, which is protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution. Lemon's attorney has also defended him, saying that the evidence for the charges was insufficient and that journalists have every right to document news and inform the public.
The Justice Department had sought an indictment from a Minnesota grand jury after a federal magistrate judge previously rejected their initial attempt to bring charges against Lemon. The arrest came as Lemon was in Los Angeles covering the Grammy Awards. He is scheduled to appear in court again on February 9 in Minneapolis, where he faces similar charges.
The Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) has blasted the arrest, saying that it's an unprecedented attack on journalists and their right to free speech. The organization's Chief of Advocacy Seth Stern stated that the answer to this "outrageous attack" is not fear or self-censorship but a stronger commitment to journalism, truth, and the First Amendment.
Jane Fonda, who has been supporting Lemon, also spoke in support of him outside the courthouse on Friday. The FACE Act makes it a federal crime to use force to intimidate or interfere with someone exercising their First Amendment right at a place of religious worship. Several individuals from the protest are facing similar charges, including an independent journalist who said she was covering the protest.
Fox News Digital's Brian Flood contributed to this report.
During his court appearance, Lemon told reporters that he will not stop covering news despite facing potential charges. He stated that as a journalist, his role is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable, which is protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution. Lemon's attorney has also defended him, saying that the evidence for the charges was insufficient and that journalists have every right to document news and inform the public.
The Justice Department had sought an indictment from a Minnesota grand jury after a federal magistrate judge previously rejected their initial attempt to bring charges against Lemon. The arrest came as Lemon was in Los Angeles covering the Grammy Awards. He is scheduled to appear in court again on February 9 in Minneapolis, where he faces similar charges.
The Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) has blasted the arrest, saying that it's an unprecedented attack on journalists and their right to free speech. The organization's Chief of Advocacy Seth Stern stated that the answer to this "outrageous attack" is not fear or self-censorship but a stronger commitment to journalism, truth, and the First Amendment.
Jane Fonda, who has been supporting Lemon, also spoke in support of him outside the courthouse on Friday. The FACE Act makes it a federal crime to use force to intimidate or interfere with someone exercising their First Amendment right at a place of religious worship. Several individuals from the protest are facing similar charges, including an independent journalist who said she was covering the protest.
Fox News Digital's Brian Flood contributed to this report.
. I mean, what's next? Are we gonna start protecting people from reporting on protests and stuff? It's not like he was being aggressive or anything... just trying to get the truth out there 
. And honestly, if he thought it'd be a good idea to disrupt a church service, that's his prerogative 
. Maybe the FACE Act should actually make journalists more careful about what they do, instead of letting them think they can just waltz in and start causing chaos 
. I'm all for free speech and journalism, but not when it comes at someone else's expense 
.
he's basically saying that if you're a journalist and you cover some controversy, you don't get in trouble even if it means breaking some laws 
but seriously tho, who decides what's good journalism anyway? 
I feel like the FACE Act is just another way to silence people who speak out against injustice 
we need more of these kinds of "outrageous attacks" on our freedom of speech 
he's literally just doing his job and holding people in power accountable, but now he's facing charges for it? that's just so messed up 
the face act needs to be re-written ASAP or something because it's clearly not working 
. We need more nuanced discussions about what's acceptable in terms of protest coverage and how we balance free speech with public safety.
. I gotta say, this whole thing is super concerning 
. The First Amendment protects his right to do just that 
. We need more strong journalists like Don Lemon standing up for what's right 
️. I'm all about the #FreeThePress movement and #JournalismMatters!
. The Freedom of the Press Foundation speaking out against this is giving me LIFE 
. Let's hope Don gets a fair shake in court and this whole thing blows over 