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February 13, 2026 – USA –
Journalist Don Lemon, a former CNN anchor now working independently, has pleaded not guilty to federal civil rights charges in connection with his presence at a protest that disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, authorities and multiple news outlets reported on 13 February 2026. The arraignment marks a key turning point in the unfolding legal case that has drawn national attention to questions of press freedom and protest law enforcement.
Lemon appeared in U.S. District Court in St. Paul to enter his plea, where he was joined by several co-defendants charged alongside him, including civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong. Prosecutors allege that Lemon and others conspired to violate civil rights and interfered with the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, a federal law that U.S. authorities say was applicable because the demonstration took place inside a place of religious worship.
The charges stem from a January 18 protest at Cities Church, where activists disrupted a worship service and chanted against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies. At the time, the church’s pastor was reported to be an ICE official, and the protest was part of broader demonstrations against immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota. Lemon livestreamed the event, conducting interviews and reporting on the scene. Supporters have said he was present in a journalistic capacity rather than as a participant.
Outside the courtroom, Lemon addressed supporters and the media after entering his plea, rejecting the charges as unfounded and vowing to defend his First Amendment rights. He described the prosecution as an attempt to intimidate journalists and activists and insisted his role at the protest was strictly to document the events for public interest, not to incite or participate in disruption.
The indictment against Lemon and his co-defendants includes counts related to conspiracy against civil rights and violating the FACE Act, which is more commonly used to protect access to abortion clinics but also includes provisions related to obstruction of religious worship. Legal experts and press freedom advocates have expressed concern about the application of these statutes to journalists covering protests, arguing that reporting and observation activities are protected by the First Amendment.
Dozens of supporters gathered outside the courthouse during the hearing, many expressing solidarity with Lemon and raising broader concerns about media freedoms and government enforcement practices. Defence attorneys for Lemon have signaled plans to challenge the charges and seek dismissal on constitutional grounds, arguing that his presence and reporting at the protest were protected journalistic activities.
The case continues to evolve as legal proceedings move forward, with additional hearings and motions expected in the coming weeks. Observers say the outcome may have implications for how journalists covering protests and civil unrest are treated under federal law, particularly in contexts where demonstrations intersect with charged political issues and religious spaces.
Reference –
https://abc7.com/post/journalist-don-lemon-set-arraigned-minnesota-church-protest-case/18595500/
