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Update (1200ET): Minnesota Gov Tim Walz just apologized for the arrest of the CNN journalists who were arrested, then released, earlier. The governor said he was on the phone with CNN’s Jeff Zucker “two minutes” after hearing about the arrests.
Gov Walz makes public apology to press “I failed you last night” and apologizes to CNN crew who were arrested. #tptalmanac @tpt @NewsHour pic.twitter.com/piXUp9lFjO
— Mary Lahammer (@mlahammer) May 29, 2020
Critics of the department noted that Walz’s apology was more heartfelt than the apology from the police who made the arrest.
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Update (1005ET): Jimenez went right back to reporting after being let go.
And we’re back pic.twitter.com/dkYHYxe0u7
— Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) May 29, 2020
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Update (0900ET): After releasing the three CNN employees arrested earlier, the Minnesota State Police have tweeted a statement declaring that the reporters were released once they were confirmed to be CNN reporters…which is clearly not what happened.
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.
— MN State Patrol (@MnDPS_MSP) May 29, 2020
The reporter who was arrested was interviewed about the experience by a colleague.
CNN’s @OmarJimenez and his crew have been released from police custody. He recounts getting arrested and what happened while they were in custody. https://t.co/v3kMq77Oro pic.twitter.com/JoqmwlTc5i
— CNN (@CNN) May 29, 2020
There’s probably a playbook for how police departments can start to restore the public’s trust at moments like this…but this isn’t it.
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Millions of Americans feel like the country is drifting precariously close to the point where social cohesion unravels. What’s the Minneapolis PD’s solution? Arrest a team of journalists live on air…
The same police department that hired the officer who cruelly and arbitrarily murdered George Floyd has responded to the intensifying media coverage of the riots that are now beginning to spread across the US with what some might describe as ‘Stalinist’ tactics.
CNN tweeted a photo of reporter Omar Jimenez being taken into custody in the middle of the live report.
— CNN (@CNN) May 29, 2020
This video was captured by the crew while they were being arrested.
A CNN crew was arrested while giving a live television report in Minneapolis, where the crew was covering ongoing protests over the death of George Floyd. They had clearly identified themselves as press. https://t.co/QklqlJm7mD pic.twitter.com/0xreuTPuWS
— CNN International (@cnni) May 29, 2020
According to CNN, police told the crew they were being detained because they were told to move, and didn’t, one member of the CNN crew relayed to the network. In a statement, the network accused the police of arresting the men for doing their jobs.
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, 2020
Jimenez could be seen holding his CNN badge while reporting, identifying himself as a reporter. He could be heard telling the officers that they would move wherever the police needed them, while also making it clear that he was in the middle of a live report.
An officer gripped his arm as Jimenez talked, then put him in handcuffs.
“We can move back to where you like. We are live on the air here…Put us back where you want us. We are getting out of your way – wherever you want us (we’ll) get out of your way,” Jimenez said.
“We were just getting out of your way when you were advancing through the intersection,” Jimenez said.
CNN’s Josh Campell was nearby but was allowed to remain.
“I identified myself…they said, ‘OK, you’re permitted to be in the area,'” recounted Campbell, who is white. “I was treated much differently than (Jimenez) was.”
Jimenez and the crew had been reporting from the site, which was near a police precinct that was burned down by protesters overnight.
