Minnesota State Patrol Arrests CNN Reporter During Live Report

A CNN journalist was arrested during a live report on Friday morning while covering protests in Minneapolis in reaction to the death of George Floyd. Omar Jimenez was arrested by state patrol ostensibly because he did not move when asked. However, the decision to arrest a reporter live on air was deemed ‘inexplicable’ by CNN’s Alisyn Camerota.

CNN's @OmarJimenez and his crew arrested in Minneapolis. Stunning. pic.twitter.com/QaghBckPk1

— Donie O'Sullivan (@donie) May 29, 2020

Jimenez and his camera crew were arrested while trying to report on the violence overnight in the city, where a police station was burned. The CNN camera recorded the arrest and continued to record afterwards. Police appear to have taken the camera into custody.

As CNN host John Berman noted on New Day following the incident, a reporting team has now been arrested in Minneapolis but the police involved in Floyd’s death.

CNN’s legal team is reportedly on the case and will find out where Jimenez and their crew are being held.

CNN issued a statement demanding the crew’s release.

“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 network said.

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 authorities in Minnesota, incl. the Governor, must release the 3 CNN employees immediately.”