As journalist Don Lemon prepared to address reporters outside the federal courthouse in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon, he walked to the microphone hand-in-hand with his husband, Tim Malone, by his side.
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At around 3:30 p.m. Pacific time, Lemon thanked his supporters and said his arrest was a defining moment for press freedom. A federal judge released him without bail.
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“I’ve spent my entire career reporting news,” Lemon said. “I will not stop now. There has never been a more important time than this moment for free and independent media to shine a light on the truth and hold those in power accountable.”
Lemon said he was still trying to understand the case against him, noting he had not yet seen the government’s filings. He said his arrest late Thursday night was unusual, and that federal agents detained him in what he characterized as routine journalism.
“last night, [Department of Justice] “They sent a team of federal agents to arrest me in the middle of the night because of what I’ve been doing for the past 30 years, and that’s reporting the news,” Lemon said.
Lemon, standing next to Malone, expanded his focus beyond his own case and warned that the prosecution would influence journalists across the country. He said the constitution is intended to protect journalists whose job is to document the unfolding of events, even if their reporting challenges those in power.
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A federal grand jury in Minnesota indicted Lemon on a felony charge for criminal interference with religious worship for his coverage of a protest inside St. Paul’s Church on January 18, a charge his lawyers strongly dispute. The indictment accuses Lemon of knowingly participating in the organized chaos, not just recording the events, which has alarmed press freedom advocates and advocates. Democratic Party leaders.
“The First Amendment protects my work and the work of countless other journalists who do the same work I do,” Lemon said. “I support them all, and I will not be silent.”
Mr. Lemon concluded by expressing both determination and confidence in the legal process. “I look forward to my day in court,” he said, thanking his supporters once again before leaving.
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
