Los Angeles (California) [US], January 31 (HBTV): Journalist Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents in Los Angeles on Thursday night while he was covering the Grammy Awards, his attorney Abbe Lowell said in a statement.
The statement, shared on Lemon’s Instagram account, said, ‘Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy Awards. Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different from what he has always done. The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable. There is no more important time for people like Don to be doing this work.’
It further said, ‘Instead of investigating the federal agents who killed two peaceful Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Department is devoting its time, attention and resources to this arrest, and that is the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case. This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand. Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.’
Citing his attorney, CNN reported that Lemon was taken into custody in connection with a protest at a church in St Paul, Minnesota. According to the report, Lemon was among dozens of anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protesters who rushed into Cities Church in St Paul earlier in January, leading to tense confrontations and the interruption of a church service.
Court records related to his arrest were not immediately available. CNN said Lemon is expected to appear in federal court in Los Angeles on Friday morning. It added that he was arrested after 11 pm local time in a hotel lobby in Beverly Hills while he was leaving for an event. (ANI)