Journalist and former CNN anchor Don Lemon pleaded not responsible in a federal courtroom in Minnesota on Friday to prices associated to an anti-ICE protest at a church that Lemon lined.
Lemon was arrested final month and accused of interfering with the First Amendment rights of these worshiping at Cities Church in St. Paul, the place the protest interrupted a service, on Jan. 18.
The church protest was in response to 1000’s of federal brokers who flooded Minnesota to make arrests of immigrants, and two U.S. residents who had been fatally shot by brokers.
Lemon was seen recording the interactions of anti-ICE demonstrators who had been upset with the church’s pastor for working with immigration officers.
In an indictment, Lemon and several other different defendants are accused of conducting “a takeover-style attack” on the church, regardless of there being no bodily violence through the demonstration.
The indictment additionally accuses Lemon of frivolously admonishing the pastor.
“While talking with the pastor, defendant LEMON stood so close to the pastor that LEMON caused the pastor’s right hand to graze LEMON, who then admonished the pastor, ‘Please don’t push me,’” the indictment stated.
Lemon was charged with conspiracy towards the rights of non secular freedom at a spot of worship and injuring, intimidating and interfering with the train of the suitable of non secular freedom at a spot of worship.
Lemon advised reporters exterior the courthouse Friday that he’ll battle the costs towards him.
“This isn’t just about me, this is about all journalists, especially in the United States,” Lemon stated. “For more than 30 years, I’ve been a journalist, and the power and protection of the First Amendment has been the underpinning of my work.”
Lemon added that he would “not be silenced” by the Trump administration.
“The process is the punishment with them,” he stated.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/don-lemon-pleads-not-guilty-in-minnesota-church-protest-case_n_698f927de4b0be3c0c977b31