Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was released on 30th January after being arrested the previous evening over a protest at a Minnesota church earlier this month.
Outside a federal courthouse in Los Angeles after his release, Lemon vowed not to be silenced, stating: “I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now.”
“The first amendment to the US Constitution protects that work for me and countless other journalists who do what I do. I stand with all of them, and I will not be silenced. I look forward to my day in court.”
The Justice Department charged Lemon and three others with civil rights violations, alleging they interfered with the exercise of religious freedom at a place of worship and conspired to do so.
One charge also referenced the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which protects access to houses of worship as well as reproductive health facilities.
Lemon’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said Lemon was taken into custody while covering the Grammy awards and insisted his actions were “constitutionally protected work” as a journalist.
Lowell said: “The first amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth… Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.”
The arrest was publicly celebrated by the White House on social media, where they posted “When life gives you Lemons,” accompanied by a chain emoji. Lemon’s former colleagues and press freedom advocates have condemned the action.
Actor and activist Jane Fonda, speaking outside the courthouse, said: “Don Lemon is a professional journalist… he and his producer were doing their job, nothing more, nothing less.”
A court date in Minneapolis is expected in the coming weeks.