A group of CNN reporters were arrested on live television early on Friday morning while they were covering the riots in Minneapolis, which were sparked by the death of George Floyd earlier this week.
It was not clear what specifically happened that led to the arrests of the CNN employees and they did appear to be compliant with instructions from law enforcement officials.
WATCH:
Minnesota police arrest CNN reporter and camera crew as they report from protests in Minneapolis https://t.co/oZdqBti776 pic.twitter.com/3QbeTjD5ed
— CNN (@CNN) May 29, 2020
CNN Communications released a statement demanding that law enforcement release their reporters: “A CNN reporter & his production team were arrested this morning in Minneapolis for doing their jobs, despite identifying themselves – a clear violation of their First Amendment rights. The authorities in Minnesota, [including] the Governor, must release the 3 CNN employees immediately.”
A CNN reporter & his production team were arrested this morning in Minneapolis for doing their jobs, despite identifying themselves – a clear violation of their First Amendment rights. The authorities in Minnesota, incl. the Governor, must release the 3 CNN employees immediately.
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) May 29, 2020
The Minnesota Star Tribune reported that “CNN President Jeff Zucker said in a statement read on the air about 6:10 a.m. that he spoke with Gov. Tim Walz, who deeply apologized for the arrest of Jimenez and was working to have him and his two camera crew members released immediately.”
The Minnesota State Patrol tweeted: “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.”
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
CNN reporter Manu Raju later added: “After he and his crew were arrested for doing their job reporting on the Minneapolis protests, and they were just released, @OmarJimenez says on air that the officer who arrested him was cordial but had little information for him, telling him: ‘I’m just following orders.'”
After he and his crew were arrested for doing their job reporting on the Minneapolis protests, and they were just released, @OmarJimenez says on air that the officer who arrested him was cordial but had little information for him, telling him: “I’m just following orders.”
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 29, 2020
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