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CNN accused the Minneapolis police of misrepresenting the circumstances surrounding the arrest of a black CNN correspondent and two TV crew members as they covered the protests against the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Friday morning.
Omar Jimenez was arrested live on air early Friday morning as he broadcast from the streets of downtown Minneapolis. Jimenez and his crew repeatedly identified themselves as journalists and displayed badges confirming their identity. As the camera rolled, Jimenez was cuffed and led away by Minnesota State Patrol at 5:11 a.m. local time.
“In the course of clearing the streets and restoring order at Lake Street and Snelling Avenue, four people were arrested by State Patrol troopers, including three members of a CNN crew. The three were released once they were confirmed to be members of the media,” the Minnesota State Patrol said in a statement.
Minnesota police arrest CNN reporter and camera crew as they report from protests in Minneapolis https://t.co/oZdqBti776 pic.twitter.com/3QbeTjD5ed
— CNN (@CNN) May 29, 2020
But CNN challenged that account, insisting that the crew identified themselves as reporters before the arrests occurred and said Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz intervened to help ensure their release from custody.
A white CNN correspondent, Josh Campbell, also on the scene covering the ongoing protests was not arrested and instead described being treated respectfully by the police. Campbell and CNN “New Day” anchor John Berman suggested that race likely played a role in Jimenez’s arrest.
This is not accurate – our CNN crew identified themselves, on live television, immediately as journalists. We thank Minnesota @GovTimWalz for his swift action this morning to aid in the release of our crew. https://t.co/3cvtsqbbWz
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) May 29, 2020
CNN called the arrests “a clear violation of their First Amendment rights.”
Jimenez was filmed as he and his crew moved out of the way so that a group of officers could make their way down the street on Friday morning. In the minutes leading up to the arrest, Jimenez was heard asking state police where they wanted him and his camera crew to stand, and offered to move back.
“Put us back where you want us. We are getting out your way,” Jimenez said. “We are live on the air at the moment.”
Jimenez then began to describe the scene around him for viewers but stopped as two police offer cuffed him and told him he was under arrest. The live feed continued, and the CNN producer and a camera operator were placed in handcuffs and led away.
The camera was placed on the floor and continued to transmit video, which CNN broadcast. You can watch a video of it here.
Jimenez later reported that he asked the officer leading him away in handcuffs where CNN’s crew was allowed to stand on the street. The officer reportedly responded, “I don’t know man, I’m just following orders.”
