Don Lemon and journalist Georgia Fort, a CNN host and an independent reporter, respectively, have been arrested for covering a protest at a Minneapolis-area church. The Department of Justice accuses them of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which aims to protect reproductive rights clinics but has now been misused to silence journalists.
The prosecutors claim that Lemon started a livestream reporting on the organizing meeting and continued it through the protest itself at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Meanwhile, Fort approached the church's pastor, who runs an ICE enforcement field office, in close proximity, allegedly peppering him with questions and attempting to intimidate him.
However, courts have consistently ruled that covering protests, even those inside churches, is not a crime, as long as it does not involve obstructing access or restricting someone's freedom of movement. Similarly, asking questions about important issues like reproductive rights is protected by the First Amendment.
The FACE Act was written with specific safeguards to prevent this misuse, including provisions that only prohibit actions causing "reasonable fear of harm" and restrictions on physical freedom of movement. In the case of Lemon and Fort, there's no evidence that they crossed these boundaries.
This move by the Trump administration is part of a broader effort to crack down on press freedom. The president has repeatedly attacked the media and threatened journalists who report critically on his policies. It's clear that the administration is trying to intimidate those who speak out against them.
As the situation unfolds, it's essential for journalists like Fort to have access to strong support systems. Georgia Fort, in particular, needs all the help she can get to mount a robust defense against these spurious charges.
Journalists must be vigilant in covering and exposing government overreach. The Intercept has been at the forefront of this fight, and with your support, we can continue to provide crucial reporting on issues like this one.
The prosecutors claim that Lemon started a livestream reporting on the organizing meeting and continued it through the protest itself at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Meanwhile, Fort approached the church's pastor, who runs an ICE enforcement field office, in close proximity, allegedly peppering him with questions and attempting to intimidate him.
However, courts have consistently ruled that covering protests, even those inside churches, is not a crime, as long as it does not involve obstructing access or restricting someone's freedom of movement. Similarly, asking questions about important issues like reproductive rights is protected by the First Amendment.
The FACE Act was written with specific safeguards to prevent this misuse, including provisions that only prohibit actions causing "reasonable fear of harm" and restrictions on physical freedom of movement. In the case of Lemon and Fort, there's no evidence that they crossed these boundaries.
This move by the Trump administration is part of a broader effort to crack down on press freedom. The president has repeatedly attacked the media and threatened journalists who report critically on his policies. It's clear that the administration is trying to intimidate those who speak out against them.
As the situation unfolds, it's essential for journalists like Fort to have access to strong support systems. Georgia Fort, in particular, needs all the help she can get to mount a robust defense against these spurious charges.
Journalists must be vigilant in covering and exposing government overreach. The Intercept has been at the forefront of this fight, and with your support, we can continue to provide crucial reporting on issues like this one.
Can you believe this? They're trying to silence journalists who are just doing their job! I'm so tired of politicians trying to control the narrative and stifle free speech. Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were just minding their own biz, covering a protest in a church, and now they're facing charges? It's ridiculous! The FACE Act is supposed to protect reproductive rights clinics, not journalists who are reporting on important issues. 
what's next? are they gonna lock up people for asking tough questions? 
news orgs have a right to report, period. those charges sound legit tho, lemon's got some 'splainin' to do... or at least the prosecutors do 
This is getting crazy! I mean, who tries to silence journalists just because they're doing their job? 
We need more outlets like The Intercept stepping up to hold those in power accountable.
I'm all for covering protests and asking tough questions – that's what journalists are for! 
The courts have consistently ruled that covering protests isn't a crime as long as it doesn't involve obstructing access or restricting someone's freedom.
), but also by amplifying their work and holding those who abuse power accountable. We can't let the media be silenced! 
This is getting out of hand. Can't believe our so-called leaders are trying to silence journalists. Like, what's next? Arresting people for just doing their job? The FACE Act was meant to protect clinics, not stifle free speech. 
This is exactly the kind of thing that makes me question the integrity of our institutions...
I'm really disappointed in what's happening here. The whole idea behind FACE Act is to protect people from harassment and intimidation outside clinics, not inside a peaceful protest at a church. It's outrageous that Lemon and Fort are being charged for doing their job 
. The fact that the admin is trying to silence journalists who speak out against them is just plain scary 
. We need more journalists like Georgia Fort who aren't afraid to ask tough questions 
. Let's hope she gets the support she needs and these charges get dropped ASAP! 
? they're trying to silence journalists who are just doing their job! it's crazy how the government is trying to intimidate them. georgia fort needs all the support she can get, ASAP 
This is getting out of hand! Can't a live stream about a protest or some reporter asking some questions without getting arrested? It's not like they're trying to break into the ICE field office 
. I mean, I get it, press freedom is important, but does that include getting in hot water over a church protest? 
. As if reporting on reproductive rights isn't already under attack 
. Anyway, I hope Georgia Fort's got some good lawyers to help her out of this mess 
. And can we please talk about how Trump's going after the media again? 
gotta support Georgia Fort all the way - she's doing important work that needs to be protected 
. I mean, come on, covering a protest in a church is not a crime if you're not obstructing access or restricting someone's freedom 
.
. The Intercept is doing great work on this front, let's keep supporting them! 
. This is just another example of how those in power are trying to silence people who speak out against them. I mean, come on, journalists doing their job and asking questions isn't a crime? 
OMG, can't believe what's happening to these two journalists!!! 
We can make a difference by spreading awareness and using our voices to stand up for press freedom! 
. Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are brave for speaking out 
! The Intercept is a great resource 
. Let's amplify their reporting and keep them going 
. It's like they want to stifle free speech and intimidate people into not speaking out. I'm so worried about journalists like Georgia, who are already under a lot of pressure 
this is so concerning!!! they cant just silence journalists who are trying to do their job and report on important issues like reproductive rights!!! the face act was written to protect clinics not to intimidate people who want to speak out... 
we need more support for ppl like georgia fort who are fighting for press freedom!! 
. I mean, can't we just trust our press corps to report the facts without getting all twisted up in bureaucratic nonsense? 
