CNN reporter Omar Jimenez was taken into Minnesota police custody during a live broadcast at the site of the protests in Minneapolis, after clearly identifying himself to officers. Jimenez and his CNN crew were also placed in custody.
CNN reporter Omar Jimenez and his crew were covering the Minnesota protests in wake of the murder of George Floyd, when he and his crew were arrested by Minnesota police. Despite their visible News Reporting credentials and identifying themselves, they were still arrested.
“We can move back to where you like. We are live on the air here. … Put us back where you want us. We are getting out of your way — wherever you want us (we’ll) get out of your way,”
Omar Jimenez
Jimenez said to police before he was arrested. “We were just getting out of your way when you were advancing through the intersection,”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz deeply apologized for what happened and would work to have the crew released. Jimenez and his crew were subsequently released from Minnesota police custody.
Minnesota police released a statement on Twitter saying they arrested Jimenez and his crew as they were told to move and did not They also stated that they released them after identifying them as members of the media.
In the course of clearing the streets and restoring order at Lake Street and Snelling Avenue, four people were arrested by State Patrol troopers, including three members of a CNN crew. The three were released once they were confirmed to be members of the media.
— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) May 29, 2020
However, everyone who saw the video clearly sees that these are reporters and that they did identify themselves. This would confirm that the Minnesota police department lied. CNN disputed the Minnesota police departments statements via their Twitter feed.
This is not accurate – our CNN crew identified themselves, on live television, immediately as journalists. We thank Minnesota @GovTimWalz for his swift action this morning to aid in the release of our crew. https://t.co/3cvtsqbbWz
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) May 29, 2020
Chief media correspondent for CNN Brian Stelter states: Arresting reporters at a protest is an affront to the First Amendment.
Be the first to comment