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Journalist Don Lemon pleads not guilty to civil rights charges in Minnesota church protest
Don Lemon and eight others face federal civil rights charges under the FACE Act for allegedly disrupting worship during an anti-ICE protest at Cities Church, prosecutors said.
- On Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, Don Lemon, former CNN anchor and independent journalist, pleaded not guilty at the Warren E. Burger Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, St. Paul, after indictment with eight others.
- Organizers say the Jan. 18 service at Cities Church was targeted because they believed a senior pastor there worked with ICE, and protesters interrupted the service chanting `ICE out` and `Justice for Renee Good` while Lemon livestreamed earlier this month.
- According to court filings, the grand jury charged Lemon with conspiracy against religious freedom and injuring worship, prosecutors seized his phone now held by the Department of Homeland Security, and the indictment groups him with co-conspirators without noting his journalist role.
- Supporters and protesters outside the Warren E. Burger Federal Building chanted `Protect the press` as Lemon was released on a no-money bond, despite prosecutors seeking $100,000.
- Lemon's lawyers say the case raises First Amendment questions and plan to press those defenses, while Lemon said, `For more than 30 years, I've been a journalist...`, and magistrate and appeals courts previously rejected DOJ efforts amid recent prosecutor resignations.
132 Articles
132 Articles
Don Lemon Enters Plea in Church Protest Case
Former CNN host turned independent journalist Don Lemon pleaded not guilty to federal civil rights charges Friday, a case arising from a protest at a Minnesota church where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official is a pastor. Four others also pleaded not guilty in the case. Roughly two dozen protesters...
The ex-CNN presenter, prosecuted for covering a demonstration in a church, pleaded not guilty to violating freedom of worship.
Don Lemon, Cities Church protestors plead not guilty in federal court in Minnesota
Independent journalist and former CNN anchor Don Lemon exits the Warren E. Burger Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in St. Paul, Minn. on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. Lemon pleaded not guilty to federal charges stemming from his coverage of a protest against a pastor and ICE official at a St. Paul church in January. (Photo by Alex Baumhardt/Minnesota Reformer)Independent journalist Don Lemon, civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong and several …
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