They were released less than two hours later after their arrest, with a “sorry apology” from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
The governor of Minnesota called the arrest “unacceptable”. A team from the American 24-hour 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 man during a heavy arrest .
The three team members were released less than two hours later, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued a “flat apologies” to CNN chairman, the channel reported.
Reporters were covering the third night of violence in Minneapolis following the death Monday of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American who was pinned to the ground by a police officer who held his knee to his neck for long minutes, according to a recording of the scene that went viral.
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The sun was rising over the city on Friday morning when CNN reporter Omar Jimenez got into trouble with police in riot gear.
“Clear violation of the First Amendment”
“We can go back where you want. We’re live. Put us back where you want,” he can be heard calmly saying in the live broadcast of the scene shortly after 5 am. The camera continues to roll when two police officers grab her microphone to handcuff her.
“Why am I under arrest?” Asks the black journalist before his colleagues are in turn apprehended and the camera seized.
“CNN reporter and production crew were arrested this morning in Minneapolis while doing their job despite identifying themselves – a clear violation of the First Amendment” of the US Constitution guaranteeing freedom of the press , denounced the channel in a statement calling on the authorities for the immediate release of its employees.
Shortly after being released, Omar Jimenez returned to the air on his arrest.
“I have to say that everyone was quite courteous after what happened,” he commented. “There was no animosity, they were not violent towards me.” “These people are on edge,” he added, citing “confusion”.
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