"Journalism Is Not a Crime": Georgia Fort & Don Lemon Arrested for Covering St. Paul Church Protest
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, independent journalists, were arrested and indicted for covering a protest at a St. Paul church.
- ❖The charges include violating an 1871 law (originally against the KKK) and the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.
- ❖US Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly claimed responsibility for directing the arrests.
- ❖Lemon's attorney described the arrest as an "unprecedented attack on the First Amendment."
- ❖Fort detailed her arrest by two dozen federal agents at her home, including DEA and HSI, and the subsequent questioning of her children and husband.
- ❖Fort highlighted the absurdity of using laws meant to protect Black people against Black journalists and questioned the integrity of constitutional rights.
- ❖Journalism organizations, including the National Association of Black Journalists, issued statements condemning the arrests.
Insights
1Federal Indictment of Journalists for Protest Coverage
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon and independent journalist Georgia Fort were indicted by a federal grand jury in Minnesota for covering a protest at a St. Paul church. The charges include violating an 1871 law, originally designed to combat the Ku Klux Klan, and the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, typically used to protect abortion clinics.
A federal grand jury in Minnesota indicted Lemon and Fort violating two laws: an 1871 law originally designed to combat the Klutz clan and the Face Act, the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which was written to protect abortion clinics. The indictment names a total of nine people, including the two journalists.
2US Attorney General's Direct Involvement
US Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly took personal credit for the arrests of Fort and Lemon, posting on X that the arrests occurred at her direction.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi took personal credit for the arrests of Ford and Lemon and two others on Friday, posting on X that the arrests occurred at her direction.
3Journalists Condemn Arrests as First Amendment Attack
Both Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, along with Lemon's attorney, characterized the arrests as a direct assault on the First Amendment and press freedom. Lemon vowed to continue reporting, stating, 'Journalism is not a crime.'
His attorney, Abby Lel, described the arrest as a quote, unprecedented attack on the First Amendment... Don Lemon vowed to continue reporting... 'I will not stop now. I will not stop ever. The first amendment of the constitution protects that work for me and for countless of other journalists who do what I do.' Georgia Fort stated, 'I don't feel like I have my first amendment right as a member of the press... I informed them that this was a violation of my constitutional right, the First Amendment.'
4Georgia Fort's Arrest Experience and Family Impact
Georgia Fort detailed her arrest at her home by approximately two dozen federal agents, including DEA and HSI. She described being cuffed and taken to a federal facility. Critically, agents remained outside her home for over two hours after her apprehension, stopping and questioning her minor daughters and husband as they attempted to leave, causing distress and fear.
My home was surrounded by about two dozen federal agents, including agents from DEA and HSI... I walked out of my garage with my hands up... they had me in cuffs in the back of the vehicle... these agents stayed outside of my home for more than 2 hours. And when my 17-year-old daughter... felt scared... she decided that it would be safer for her to drive to a relative's home... And these agents stopped my children on their way trying to leave... My husband also... They stopped him questioning him...
5Weaponization of Laws Against Black Journalists
Georgia Fort expressed strong concern over the 'absurdity' of weaponizing a law originally intended to protect Black people (the 1871 anti-KKK law) against Black journalists. She framed the situation as a 'constitutional crisis' and an attack on media, particularly Black women in journalism.
I think it's really absurd to weaponize a law that was meant to protect black people and weaponize it against black people, specifically members of the press... we're having a constitutional crisis. If our first amendment rights... cannot be withheld in this moment, then what does it say about the merit of our constitution? ... This isn't the first time in terms of the attack on media and journalism, the attack on black women who are documenting what's happening.
Lessons
- Support organizations advocating for press freedom and the protection of journalists' rights, especially independent journalists.
- Stay informed about legal challenges to First Amendment protections and how historical laws are being applied in contemporary contexts.
- Recognize the potential chilling effect on journalism when reporters are arrested for covering protests, and advocate for policies that safeguard the ability of the press to document public events without fear of prosecution.
Quotes
"I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now. In fact, there is no more important time than right now, this very moment for a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth and holds those in power accountable. Again, I will not stop now. I will not stop ever. The first amendment of the constitution protects that work for me and for countless of 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."
"I asked the agents who were there to arrest me if they knew that I was a member of the press. They said they did know that I was a member of the press. I informed them that this was a violation of my constitutional right, the First Amendment, and they told me, you know, we're just here to do our job. And I said, I was just doing my job, and now I'm being arrested for it."
"I think it's really absurd to weaponize a law that was meant to protect black people and weaponize it against black people, specifically members of the press. We are at a critical time in this country when you have members of the press, award-winning journalists who are simply showing up in their capacity to cover the news being arrested for doing their jobs. I think I'm not I wouldn't be the first person to say this but we're having a constitutional crisis."
"Journalism is not a crime and it's not just my belief, it's my constitutional right as an American."
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