Former CNN host Don Lemon pleaded not guilty in federal court in Minnesota Friday for accompanying agitators who invaded a Sunday service in a Minnesota church, Reuters reports.
Lemon, who professes he was covering the outburst in the church as a journalist, and eight agitators were charged with conspiracy in violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994, a law that specifically bans obstruction or threats at places of worship and abortion clinics.
Later Friday, Lemon issued a statement posted on social media.
“For more than 30 years, and the power and protection of the First Amendment has been the underpinning of my work,” Lemon said in the statement. “The events before my arrest and what’s happened since show the people are finally realizing what this administration is all about. For them, the process is punishment. Like all of you here in Minnesota, I will not be intimidated.”
A federal grand jury in Minnesota indicted Lemon and others for alleged conspiracy against the right of religious freedom at a place of worship, as well as conspiracy to intimidate and interfere with the exercise of the right of religious freedom at a place of worship.
The case appears to be about Lemon’s First Amendment right to press freedom, juxtaposed with federal laws protecting church attendees.
Federal prosecutors allege that Lemon participated in the planning of the intrusion at Cities Church in St. Paul on Jan. 18.
Lemon’s defense is that he was merely observing and covering the disruption and had the First Amendment right to document it as a news event.
Agitators entered the church carrying signs opposing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In remarks outside the courthouse after the arraignment, Lemon said, “This isn’t just about me, this is about all journalists, especially here in the United States.”
“For more than 30 years, I have been a journalist. And the power and protection of the First Amendment has been the underpinning of my work,” Lemon said.
“The events before my arrest, and what’s happened since, show that people are finally realizing what this administration is all about. The process is the punishment with them.”
“I will not be intimidated, I will not back down, I will fight these baseless charges. And I will not be silenced,” Lemon stated.
Jonathan Parnell, the church’s lead pastor, previously told The Daily Signal, “We are grateful that the Department of Justice acted swiftly to protect Cities Church so that we can continue to faithfully live out the church’s mission to worship Jesus and make him known.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Reuters contributed to this report.