Journalist Don Lemon has entered a plea of not guilty to criminal charges arising from a demonstration against former President Donald Trump's immigration policies at a church in Minnesota. The former CNN anchor was among nine individuals charged in connection with a protest at a Southern Baptist church, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official serves as a pastor.
Protest Details and Legal Proceedings
Last month, protesters disrupted a service at the Cities Church in Saint Paul, chanting slogans such as "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good," referencing a 37-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. Lemon asserts that he was present solely to report on the event as a journalist and did not participate in the demonstration, pledging to contest what he describes as "baseless charges."
First Amendment Defense
During his arraignment at the US District Courthouse in Saint Paul on Friday, Lemon, dressed in a black suit, addressed supporters outside the courtroom. "For over three decades, I have dedicated my career to journalism, with the First Amendment serving as the foundation of my work," he stated. "The freedom of the press is essential to our democracy, and I will not be intimidated or back down from these accusations."
The charges against Lemon and the other defendants are based on the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which criminalizes interference or intimidation of individuals exercising their First Amendment right to religious freedom at places of worship. Penalties for violations can include up to one year in prison and fines reaching $10,000.
Other Defendants and Related Cases
Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong was among the additional defendants who pleaded not guilty on Friday. Two more individuals, including independent journalist Georgia Fort, are scheduled for arraignment next week.
Controversial ICE Shooting Incident
Concurrently, two immigration agents have been placed on administrative leave following allegations of providing "untruthful statements" regarding a shooting in Minneapolis last month. According to reports from Sky News' US partner NBC, an officer fired a single shot that struck Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in the thigh on January 14, just days after the death of Renee Good.
Initially, Sosa-Celis and another Venezuelan man, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna, were accused of assaulting an ICE officer with a broom handle and snow shovel. However, video evidence later emerged that contradicted the testimony filed against them, leading prosecutors to dismiss the charges. This incident is part of a pattern where initial accounts by immigration officials have been disputed by video footage in at least five shootings.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons emphasized in a statement that "lying under oath is a serious federal offense," noting that the agents could face termination and criminal charges pending an investigation.
