Don Lemon pleads not guilty to civil rights charges related to a protest at a Minnesota church.

Former CNN host and independent journalist Don Lemon has entered a plea of not guilty to federal civil rights charges following his involvement in a protest at a Minnesota church, where an official from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) serves as pastor. This legal development occurred on Friday, as Lemon, along with four other defendants, faced accusations stemming from the January 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul.

During his arrival at the courthouse, Lemon, accompanied by his attorney, Joe Thompson, did not make any public statements. Outside, approximately 20 demonstrators gathered to voice their support for Lemon and other defendants, emphasizing calls to “Protect the press” and expressing discontent with political figures involved in the situation.

Among the co-defendants is prominent civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, who has gained attention for her activism against controversial immigration policies. Armstrong also pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include allegations of disrupting a religious service to protest immigration practices. The protest was particularly focused on the recent fatalities of individuals involved in immigration enforcement actions, raising tensions regarding the enforcement of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

Lemon’s attorney indicated plans to assert First Amendment rights in the coming legal proceedings, highlighting Lemon’s assertion that he attended the protest purely in a journalistic capacity to document the event. During the arraignment, concerns were also raised about Lemon’s confiscated mobile phone, which remains under the custody of the Department of Homeland Security due to an ongoing investigation.

The January protest saw demonstrators calling for accountability regarding the death of Renee Good, a mother who was fatally shot by an ICE officer. Lemon, although allegedly charged for his participation, maintains that he was present solely as an observer and journalist. The demonstration drew significant criticism from conservative figures, with White House officials and some clergy condemning the interruption of religious services.

All defendants in this case are charged under the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which prohibits interference with individuals exercising their rights to religious worship. If convicted, the charges could result in penalties of up to one year in prison and fines reaching ,000. The legal ramifications of this case reflect broader societal tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the exercise of free speech, shaping an ongoing dialogue on civil liberties and the press in contemporary America.

As the legal process unfolds, two additional defendants connected to the protest are set for arraignment next week, underscoring the case’s complexity and the heightened scrutiny surrounding immigration issues in the current socio-political climate. Media News Source reports that public sentiment continues to juxtapose the rights of individuals to protest against governmental policies with the sanctity of religious spaces, creating a multifaceted legal and social battleground.