A team from the American news channel CNN was arrested by police on Friday morning while covering live in Minneapolis the third night of violence following the death of a black American, George Floyd, during a muscular challenge.
The scene was broadcast live, shortly after 5 a.m. local time (12 p.m. in Paris), according to the channel's banner. We see the African-American journalist, Omar Jimenez, facing the police. "We can back up wherever you want. We are live. Put us where you want, ”he said calmly behind his mask.
“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, 2020The camera continues to rotate when two police officers seize his microphone to handcuff him. "Why am I under arrest?" Asked the African-American journalist, before his colleagues were arrested and the camera seized.
"A violation of the first amendment"
"A CNN journalist and his production team were arrested this morning in Minneapolis for doing their work, despite having identified themselves - a manifest violation of the first amendment" of the US Constitution guaranteeing press freedom, denounced CNN in a statement calling on the authorities to release his employees immediately.
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, 2020The chain announced shortly after 12:30 p.m. Paris time that its team had finally been released.
