Democracy Now! “Journalism Is Not a Crime”: Georgia Fort & Don Lemon Arrested for Covering St. Paul Church Protest

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As protests continue in Minnesota over the federal government’s immigration crackdown, former CNN anchor Don Lemon and independent journalist Georgia Fort now face federal charges stemming from their reporting on a January 18 demonstration at a St. Paul church, where a senior ICE official works as a pastor. The two journalists were released Friday without bail following initial court hearings and could face fines or prison time if convicted. Their charges stem from the FACE Act, a 1994 law intended to protect access to abortion clinics which also prohibits interference with religious worship. Seven activists who took part in the demonstration also face charges.

“We’re having a constitutional crisis,” Fort tells Democracy Now! “What we’re seeing here in Minnesota is the people are continuing to stand. They are continuing to demand that our Constitution be upheld. I believe that journalism is not a crime.”

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