Don Lemon released on charges of protesting in Minnesota
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon has been charged in connection with a protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
A week after federal agents shot and killed Alex Preti in Minneapolis, a civil rights investigation into the killing has begun and tensions remain high on the ground, while communities across the country plan protests against President Donald Trump’s surge in immigration enforcement.
Above. On January 30, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the Justice Department investigation after the Department of Homeland Security reversed course and handed over limited use of force investigations to the FBI, and after calls from across the political spectrum for an independent investigation. Homeland Security Investigations initially planned to conduct its own investigation.
“This is a standard FBI investigation when a situation like the one we saw last Saturday arises,” Blanche said.
On January 30th, students at schools across the country went on strike to protest the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. In Springfield, Missouri, more than 100 students gathered outside Kickapoo High School carrying anti-ICE placards, some proudly holding Mexican flags. Students in Knoxville, Tennessee, skipped classes or skipped school to join protests downtown. Later that night, a wake for Preeti was held in Corpus Christi, Texas. In the Cincinnati area, local businesses closed as part of nationwide protests.
“Our country is fundamentally built on immigrants,” high school sophomore Emma Noe, 16, told the Knoxville News Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network. “Our ancestors will be disappointed.”
More protests are expected on January 31st in Florida, Vermont, Kentucky, Massachusetts and other states, according to the USA TODAY Network.
Don Lemon and others arrested after protest at Minnesota church
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon has been arrested for allegedly covering a protest at a church in Minnesota. The arrests stem from a federal investigation that began after protesters interrupted a service at Cities Church in St. Paul, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent is the pastor.
A federal indictment released on January 30 shows that Lemon, another journalist, and several activists who attended the protest at the church were charged with multiple counts of interfering with religious freedom at a place of worship.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Lemon was released on his own recognizance on a promise to return to court.
“I’ve spent my entire career reporting news, and I’m not going to stop now,” Lemon said outside a Los Angeles courthouse. “There has never been a more important time for a free and independent media to shine a light on the truth and hold those in power to account.”
Walz calls for independent investigation into Preti shooting
A week ago, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called for an impartial investigation into Preti’s death, saying, “Mr. Trump’s right hand is not responsible for the left hand investigation.”
After Preti’s death, state investigators sued the Department of Homeland Security for blocking federal authorities from accessing the crime scene. A judge soon ordered DHS not to tamper with or conceal evidence.
Walz has met with President Trump and White House border czar Tom Homan in recent days and expressed hope that state investigators will be able to conduct their own independent investigation into the shooting.
Protesters and law enforcement clash in Los Angeles
On the night of January 30th, protests in Los Angeles heated up as clashes broke out between demonstrators and law enforcement officers, who sprayed the crowd with chemical irritants. The clash occurred in the loading dock of the federal court building, where about 200 people had gathered despite warnings from police to leave.
Protesters removed trash from trash cans and erected makeshift barricades around doors, attempting to trap federal agents inside. The officers then exited through another door and began kicking down the barricade.
Anti-ICE slogans appeared to be graffitied on some of the loading docks. Tensions escalated as DHS officials emerged from the loading dock. Demonstrators rushed forward, forcing the operatives to retreat. In the ensuing exchange, the officers repeatedly shoved the protester. Just before 4:30 p.m., the crowd at the entrance to the dock grew even larger. When officers moved forward again, a chemical irritant was used.
-Paris Barraza
Contributors: Christopher Cann, Michael Loria, Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY. Reuters
