Don Lemon Arrested in Los Angeles Over Minneapolis Church Protest

Journalist and former CNN anchor Don Lemon was taken into custody in Los Angeles on Thursday night in connection with an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protest at a Minneapolis church earlier this month.

Lemon was covering the incident, during which protesters rushed into the church and interrupted a service. His attorney says Lemon was acting as a journalist, not a participant, and called the arrest "an unprecedented attack on the First Amendment," arguing Lemon was engaged in constitutionally protected work.

In a video he posted online, Lemon echoed that claim: "I'm just here photographing... I'm a journalist."

Justice Department officials dispute that defense. According to the DOJ, Lemon had no right to be on private church property, and the disruption may have interfered with worshippers' religious rights.

Georgia Fort, an independent journalist who livestreamed the same protest, was also arrested. Two additional journalists were detained as well. It's unclear what specific charges all four face or when they are expected to appear in court.