Key Facts
• January 19: Former CNN anchor Don Lemon entered a Minnesota church during an immigration protest.
• Lemon live-streamed the protest on YouTube from inside the church.
• January 29 night: Lemon was detained at a Los Angeles hotel in California.
• January 30 morning: Journalist Georgia Fort was detained by federal officers.
• Fort live-streamed the detention on Facebook, citing constitutional rights.
• Authorities claim Lemon and others infringed on worshippers’ rights inside the church.
• Four people in total were detained related to the protest coverage.
• Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison stated they will act firmly against violations of religious freedom.
Summary
Four individuals, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon and journalist Georgia Fort, were detained following their coverage of an immigration protest inside a Minnesota church. Lemon entered the church on January 19 and live-streamed the event on YouTube. He was detained on January 29 in Los Angeles, while Fort was detained the next morning by federal officers. Fort protested her detention live on Facebook, emphasizing constitutional protections for the media. Authorities argue that the detainees disrupted the worshippers’ right to pray. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison confirmed the detentions and emphasized the state’s commitment to protecting the right to free and safe religious practice. The case is pending judicial review, drawing attention to the balance between protest coverage and religious rights.
