Sue 'em sideways, Don
Do it for all of us
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested on Friday after he covered a protest in a Minnesota church (Cities Church in St Paul) last week. He and three other people were charged with civil rights crimes, impeding people’s freedom of religion while covering this:
He was released and said he would fight the charges.
Honestly, the “crimes” for which Lemon is accused include typical journalist’s behavior — “peppering” people with questions, things like that. We are not polite, though we are also operating within the rights guaranteed us by the First Amendment.
Said Lemon:
“I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now. The First Amendment to the US Constitution protects that work for me and countless other journalists who do what I do. I stand with all of them, and I will not be silenced. I look forward to my day in court.”
According to CBS News:
The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations, a law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security, were involved in the arrest, sources say.
Also arrested were independent journalist Georgia Fort, and activists Trahem Jeen Crews and Jamael Lydell Lundy. These charges need to be dropped for the journalists and also the activists. Come on.
Arresting journalists for doing their job is outrageous and a violation of the 1st Amendment. Likely the charges will be dropped -- but the punishment has already been levied by the chief felon's administration: they have been arrested, jailed and have to hire legal counsel to represent them. They don't have the backing of a large media company to help them and pay their legal fees. They are independents and this will be an out-of-pocket expense, unless attorneys step forward pro bono. I'm listening to MSNOW and they are reporting that ICE's next raid -- Ohio. They need to be stopped before they cause more terror.
Amidst the MAGAstapo nonstop attacks there are bad people watching and it is only a matter of time before we are attacked in 9/11 fashion. When the Director of National Security is out counting ballots she is derelict in her duty to protect America. There is just so much wrong here - Minneapolis is our last best hope!