Arrests of journalists fuel backlash as anti-ICE protests spread from Minneapolis

Geoff Bennett:

Welcome to the "News Hour."

The Justice Department said today it has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting of Alex Pretti, the ICU nurse killed by immigration officers in Minneapolis.

Amna Nawaz:

The FBI will conduct that probe. That's a change from the department's stance earlier this week, when it only agreed to a more narrow inquiry into the use of force.

That news followed more arrests in Minnesota over a protest at a church.

Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro has our report.

Protesters:

You can't kill us all!

Fred de Sam Lazaro:

Another wave of protests swept through Minneapolis today and echoed in cities across the country...

(Chanting)

Fred de Sam Lazaro:

... as tensions grow over federal immigration enforcement and the Trump administration's response to dissent.

Federal agents today arrested former CNN anchor Don Lemon and three others in connection with a January 18 protest at a church in St. Paul where an ICE official serves as a pastor. Lemon, who was fired from CNN in 2023, now hosts an independent show on YouTube.

The Justice Department has charged Lemon with federal civil rights crimes. The National Association of Black Journalists, along with other news organizations, have condemned the move.

Don Lemon, Former CNN Anchor:

We're here just chronicling and reporting. We're not part of the activists, but we're here just reporting on them.

Fred de Sam Lazaro:

Lemon's lawyer says he was there strictly in a journalistic role.

Don Lemon:

So this is what the First Amendment is about, about the freedom to protest.

Fred de Sam Lazaro:

Lemon has a history of voicing his disdain for President Trump.

Georgia Fort, Journalist:

I wanted to alert the public that agents are at my door right now.

Fred de Sam Lazaro:

Independent Twin Cities journalist Georgia Fort was also arrested after federal agents arrived at her home this morning.

Georgia Fort:

I don't feel like I have my First Amendment right.

Fred de Sam Lazaro:

Fort livestreamed the moments before her arrest, saying agents had a grand jury indictment.

After her release hours later, Fort called for the truth to be -- quote -- "amplified."

Georgia Fort:

Do we have a Constitution? That is the pressing question.

Fred de Sam Lazaro:

Also arrested, Black Lives Matter activist Trahern Jeen Crews and Minnesota state legislature candidate Jamael Lydell Lundy.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the four were arrested because they violated people's ability to worship -- quote -- "freely and safely."

Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General:

And if I haven't been clear already, if you violate that sacred right, we are coming after you.

Fred de Sam Lazaro:

Meanwhile, the Justice Department said today it has opened a civil rights investigation into the shooting of Alex Pretti. At the same time, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department is looking at left-wing groups as part of the investigation into Pretti's killing.

Todd Blanche, U.S. Deputy Attorney General:

It means looking at documentary evidence, sending subpoenas if you have to, and I expect that investigation will proceed with that -- with those parameters in mind.

Fred de Sam Lazaro:

Blanche notably dodged multiple questions about whether an investigation is being opened into the shooting of another U.S. citizen in Minnesota, Renee Good.

Despite hints from administration officials of a de-escalation, there's little to suggest any let-up in the aggressive and widespread enforcement in the Twin Cities area. Just yesterday, two Minnesota children, a second grader and a fifth grader, were taken into custody at the request of their mother and sole caretaker, who was arrested while the children were in school.

Their principal, who'd witnessed another of his pupils taken last week, became emotional after seeing a picture of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, now detained in Texas.

Jason Kuhlman, Principal, Valley View Elementary School:

Open your eyes. Believe your eyes. Believe what you see. He's not a criminal. It's not politics. It's about treating people like humans.

Fred de Sam Lazaro:

Meantime, there were calls nationwide for peaceful disruption, school closures and work and shopping boycotts aimed to draw attention to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

And back in Minneapolis, as protesters were out in the streets, musician Bruce Springsteen made a surprise appearance at a benefit concert singing his newly recorded song, "Streets of Minneapolis," a rally cry for many as uncertainty and fear persist.

For the PBS "News Hour," I'm Fred D. Sam Lazaro in the Twin Cities.