Home / Crime and Justice / Don Lemon Faces Federal Charges in Church Protest
Don Lemon Faces Federal Charges in Church Protest
13 Feb
Summary
- Journalist Don Lemon faces federal charges for church protest.
- Charges include violating constitutional rights and the FACE Act.
- Lemon arrested in Los Angeles, vows to fight the charges.
Journalist Don Lemon is scheduled to appear in a Minnesota federal court this Friday for arraignment on charges related to a protest at Cities Church. Federal prosecutors have accused Lemon and an independent journalist of involvement in a "takeover-style attack" at the church, which disrupted a service. The charges include conspiring to violate constitutional rights and violating the FACE Act, which protects religious practice rights.
Lemon, a former CNN anchor now hosting a YouTube show, maintains his presence was purely journalistic. He was arrested in Beverly Hills on January 29 and later released on his own recognizance. He has hired legal representation and expressed determination to contest the allegations, emphasizing the importance of a free and independent media.
Earlier attempts by the Justice Department to charge eight individuals, including Lemon, were initially rejected by a magistrate judge due to insufficient evidence. However, prosecutors were encouraged to seek an indictment through a grand jury, leading to the current charges.
