EXPLAINED YOUR RIGHTS TO PROTEST AS WELL AS CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE. MINNEAPOLIS NO MORE. MINNESOTA. NICE TO NEW MEXICO. NO HOPE, NO FEAR. PROTESTS ERUPTING THROUGHOUT THE NATION FOLLOWING ICE ARREST. ICE REPORTING CLOSE TO 70,000 INDIVIDUALS DETAINED IN FACILITIES AS OF EARLY JANUARY. FRUSTRATIONS TIED WITH MIXED EMOTIONS. THE LATEST JOURNALIST, DON LEMON, ARRESTED BY FEDERAL AGENTS THURSDAY NIGHT IN CONNECTION TO AN ANTI-IMMIGRATION PROTEST AT A MINNESOTA CHURCH. HOURS LATER, ATTORNEY GENERAL PAM BONDI ANNOUNCING LIMITS ARREST ALONG WITH THREE OTHERS, STATING, QUOTE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE COORDINATED ATTACK ON CITIES CHURCH IN SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, MAKE NO MISTAKE, UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP’S LEADERSHIP AND THIS ADMINISTRATION, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO WORSHIP FREELY AND SAFELY. AND IF I HAVEN’T BEEN CLEAR ALREADY, IF YOU VIOLATE THAT SACRED RIGHT, WE ARE COMING AFTER YOU. ACLU, FIRST AMENDMENT ATTORNEY KRISTEN LOVE WEIGHING IN. WE MET WITH HER AT AN ICE OUT PROTEST HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE FRIDAY AFTERNOON. IT’S SO CRITICAL THAT PEOPLE ARE EXERCISING THOSE RIGHTS TO CRITICIZE THE GOVERNMENT. EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO PROTEST ON PUBLIC PROPERTY LIKE PARKS AND SIDEWALKS AND STREETS. THOSE ARE QUINTESSENTIAL PUBLIC FORUM WHERE PEOPLE CAN PROTEST. PEOPLE ALSO HAVE THE RIGHT TO HOLD UP SIGNS OR MAKE COMMENTS, BUT EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE AWARE THAT WHEN THEY ENGAGE IN CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE, THEY CAN BE ARRESTED FOR COMMITTING A CRIME, SO THAT TYPICALLY INVOLVES PROTESTS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY OR BLOCKING A STREET OR A GOVERNMENT BUILDING. ATTORNEY RELEASING A STATEMENT SHORTLY AFTER HIS ARREST STATING, QUOTE, THE FIRST AMENDMENT EXISTS TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS WHOSE ROLE IT IS TO SHINE LIGHT ON THE TRUTH AND HOLD THOSE IN POWER ACCOUNTABLE. A DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SPOKESPERSON TELLING US LEMON IS BEING CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO DEPRIVE R
Albuquerque ‘ICE Out’ protest: Arrest highlights rights to protest, worship
ACLU First Amendment attorney, Kristin Love, weighs in on one’s right to protest as well as “civil disobedience”
On Friday, Jan. 30, “anti-ICE” protests took place nationwide following the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents in Minneapolis in January. Hundreds gathered at Civic Plaza in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday. Protesters and organizers call for “no school, no work, no shopping” in response to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement crackdown. MORE: Large crowd gathers to protest ICE in AlbuquerqueOn Thursday, Jan. 29, journalist Don Lemon, journalist Georgia Fort (Jan. 30), Trahern Jeen Crews and Jamael Lydell Lunday were arrested by federal agents, in connection to an anti-immigration enforcement protest at a Minnesota church on Jan. 18, according to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. “At my direction, early this morning, federal agents arrested Don Lemon, Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy, in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota,” Bondi stated via X on Friday. Lemon cites via X, according to activist and lawyer, Nekima Levy Armstrong, Cities Church pastor, David Easterwood, is the acting field office director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in St. Paul, Minnesota. Related: Border Czar Toman: Shift in strategy will lead to a drawdown of fed agents in MinneapolisFollowing his arrest, Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, released the following statement, stating, “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.” Lowell’s full statement is below.On Friday, American Civil Liberties Union’s First Amendment Attorney, Kristin Love, weighed in on one’s right to protest as well as “civil disobedience” amid nationwide “Anti-ICE” protests.”We’re so thrilled to see people out here exercising their First Amendment rights. It’s so critical that people are exercising those rights to criticize the government. Everyone has the right to protest on public property, like parks and sidewalks and streets. Those are quintessential public for where people can protest,” Love told KOAT. What is the First Amendment?”Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.””People also have the right to hold up signs or make comment or sing as we’re hearing behind us. Those are quintessential forms of protest that are protected under the US Constitution,” Love said. “There’s a long history of civil disobedience in the country. Everyone needs to be aware that when they engage in civil disobedience, they can be arrested for committing a crime. So, that typically involves protest on private property or blocking a street or a government building. Although we have a long history of doing civil disobedience in the United States, people will be exposed to arrest if they engage in civil disobedience,” Love added. Don Lemon’s Attorney (full) Statement“Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than 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.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.” — Attorney Abbe LowellDepartment of Homeland Security statementOn Friday, KOAT reached out to DHS regarding Lemon’s charges. According to a DHS spokesperson, “Don Lemon is being charged with 18 USC 241, Conspiracy to Deprive Rights, and 18 USC 248, Violation of the FACE Act, interfering by force of someone’s First Amendment rights.”On Friday, a judge released Lemon on his own recognizance, without bail, following his court appearance in Los Angeles, California. Stay updated on the latest news with the KOAT app. Download here
On Friday, Jan. 30, “anti-ICE” protests took place nationwide following the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents in Minneapolis in January. Hundreds gathered at Civic Plaza in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday. Protesters and organizers call for “no school, no work, no shopping” in response to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement crackdown.
MORE: Large crowd gathers to protest ICE in Albuquerque
On Thursday, Jan. 29, journalist Don Lemon, journalist Georgia Fort (Jan. 30), Trahern Jeen Crews and Jamael Lydell Lunday were arrested by federal agents, in connection to an anti-immigration enforcement protest at a Minnesota church on Jan. 18, according to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
“At my direction, early this morning, federal agents arrested Don Lemon, Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy, in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota,” Bondi stated via X on Friday.
Lemon cites via X, according to activist and lawyer, Nekima Levy Armstrong, Cities Church pastor, David Easterwood, is the acting field office director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Related: Border Czar Toman: Shift in strategy will lead to a drawdown of fed agents in Minneapolis
Following his arrest, Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, released the following statement, stating, “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.” Lowell’s full statement is below.
On Friday, American Civil Liberties Union’s First Amendment Attorney, Kristin Love, weighed in on one’s right to protest as well as “civil disobedience” amid nationwide “Anti-ICE” protests.
“We’re so thrilled to see people out here exercising their First Amendment rights. It’s so critical that people are exercising those rights to criticize the government. Everyone has the right to protest on public property, like parks and sidewalks and streets. Those are quintessential public for where people can protest,” Love told KOAT.
What is the First Amendment?
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
“People also have the right to hold up signs or make comment or sing as we’re hearing behind us. Those are quintessential forms of protest that are protected under the US Constitution,” Love said.
“There’s a long history of civil disobedience in the country. Everyone needs to be aware that when they engage in civil disobedience, they can be arrested for committing a crime. So, that typically involves protest on private property or blocking a street or a government building. Although we have a long history of doing civil disobedience in the United States, people will be exposed to arrest if they engage in civil disobedience,” Love added.
Don Lemon’s Attorney (full) Statement
“Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than 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.
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.” — Attorney Abbe Lowell
Department of Homeland Security statement
On Friday, KOAT reached out to DHS regarding Lemon’s charges. According to a DHS spokesperson, “Don Lemon is being charged with 18 USC 241, Conspiracy to Deprive Rights, and 18 USC 248, Violation of the FACE Act, interfering by force of someone’s First Amendment rights.”
On Friday, a judge released Lemon on his own recognizance, without bail, following his court appearance in Los Angeles, California.
Stay updated on the latest news with the KOAT app. Download here
