CNN reporter Omar Jimenez and crew were arrested live on air, Friday while they reported the protest over the killing of black man, George Floyd in Police custody.
The live video showed Minnesota State Patrol handcuff CNN reporter Omar Jimenez and lead him away. A producer and a photojournalist for CNN were also taken away in handcuffs.
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CNN Reporter Omar Jimenez arrested live on air in Minneapolis amid George Floyd protests
“We told you before that we are with CNN,” the cameraman is heard telling police.
Omar Jimenez, a black man, was arrested while a white reporter on the ground was not, CNN revealed.
In a tweet, CNN Communications said that the crew identified themselves and called the situation a “clear violation of their First Amendment rights.”
Jimenez and his crew have since been released, CNN confirmed. He went back on air soon after and called the situation “confusing.”
The Minnesota State Patrol said on Twitter that the journalists were among four people arrested as troopers were “clearing the streets and restoring order.” The patrol said they “were released once they were confirmed to be members of the media.”
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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz apologized to CNN president Jeff Zucker for the arrest saying he takes full responsibility for what happened.
“We want the media there to cover this. It is never acceptable for this to happen. The governor accepts full responsibility,” Walz said.
Watch video below.
“It didn’t make any sense to me,” law enforcement analyst Charles Ramsey says about the arrest of a CNN team in Minneapolis who had clearly identified themselves as press. “…There’s no way something like that should occur.” https://t.co/caz6vZT4af pic.twitter.com/XCXsqU74iX
— CNN (@CNN) May 29, 2020
A black reporter from CNN was arrested while legally covering the protests in Minneapolis. A white reporter also on the ground was not. https://t.co/GcfwEvyYQC pic.twitter.com/Mg4ZwKIuKt
— CNN (@CNN) May 29, 2020
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