Journalists Arrested in Connection with Anti-ICE Protest at St. Paul Church
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon and independent journalist Georgia Fort were arrested in late January 2026 following their coverage of an anti-ICE protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The arrests have raised concerns about press freedom and the government’s response to demonstrations.
The Protest and Initial Arrests
On January 18, 2026, anti-ICE protesters targeted Cities Church due to the alleged role of Pastor David Easterwood as acting director of a field office for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The protest disrupted a Sunday worship service, leading to confrontations MPR News.
Initially, seven protesters and two journalists – Lemon and Fort – were charged with violations of the FACE Act and the KKK Act FOX 9.
Federal Charges and Allegations
The Department of Justice alleges that Lemon and Fort were participants in an “attack” on the church and the intimidation of congregants. Federal agents arrested Lemon while he was covering the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles and Fort was arrested at her home in Minnesota Minnesota Reformer.
As of February 27, 2026, a total of 30 additional people have been charged in connection with the protest, bringing the total number of individuals facing charges to 39 FOX 9. Arrests have been made across multiple states, including New York and North Dakota.
Concerns Over Press Freedom
Georgia Fort, an Emmy-award winning journalist, stated that her arrest stemmed from filming the protest as a member of the media, raising concerns about her First Amendment rights Minnesota Reformer. Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, criticized the Justice Department for focusing on the arrests of the journalists rather than investigating alleged misconduct by federal agents Minnesota Reformer.
Government Response
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “YOU CANNOT ATTACK A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. If you do so, you cannot hide from us — we will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you. This Department of Justice STANDS for Christians and all Americans of faith” FOX 9.
The case is ongoing, and further arrests are expected.