Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon has been arrested for his role in the disruption of a church service in Minnesota, even though he has argued that he was just there as a “journalist.” Lemon has been charged with federal civil rights crimes, accused of conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshippers.
Lemon joined dozens of anti-immigration enforcement rioters when they invaded Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, and he livestreamed the mob as they disrupted the worship service by shouting and intimidating the churchgoers.
The mob terrorized children and families and essentially shut down the church service on Jan. 18. A federal affidavit filed in the case reports one of the rioters screaming “Nazi” in people’s faces, and telling children directly, “Do you know your parents are Nazis? They’re going to burn in hell.”
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Lemon’s arrest came after a magistrate judge last week had rejected prosecutors’ initial bid to charge him with a crime. Three activists from the group were previously arrested, and three more were reportedly taken into custody on Friday. Prosecutors have accused them of civil rights violations for disrupting a religious event, violating the churchgoers’ rights to practice their faith.
FEDERAL AFFIDAVIT: Church Invaders Blocked Parents from Kids, Told Them Their Parents Were ‘Nazis’
Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy Awards for his personal podcast. His lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said Lemon will “fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.”
“Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done,” Lowell said in a statement. “The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable.”
Lemon was fired from CNN in 2023 after on-air controversies and allegations of workplace misconduct.
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