A reporter for CNN and his camera crew were arrested on live television Friday morning (May 29) while covering the protests in Minneapolis over the killing of George Floyd.
Black correspondent Omar Jimenez had just shown a protester being handcuffed when all of a sudden he was surrounded by a group of Minnesota State Patrol officers.
Jimenez could be heard telling the officers: “We can move back to where you like.”
With his press badge in hand, Jimenez then explained that he and his crew were members of the press and told the cops: “Put us back where you want us, we’re getting out of your way.”
At that point, Jimenez was told he was under arrest before being handcuffed and led away. It was a shocking scene that played out live on the air.
CNN took to Twitter not long afterward demanding the release of the journalist and his crew.
“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 network tweeted. “The authorities in Minnesota, incl. 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
Omar Jimenez is a CNN correspondent based in Chicago. He has been working with the network since 2017.
His arrest comes after Thursday marked the third night of rioting in Minneapolis over the death of George Floyd—a black man who was captured on video begging for his life and telling a group of Minneapolis police officers “I can’t breathe!” as they arrested him for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 at a nearby deli.
Black CNN Reporter Arrested on Live TV While Covering Minneapolis Protests Over George Floyd Killing is a post from: Gossip On This - Pop Culture, News & Videos
