While living on air, Omar Jiménez — who identifies as Black and Latino — was handcuffed and led away, together with his team. Here’s what happened.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota State Patrol on Friday arrested a CNN television crew as they reported on violent protests in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who pleaded for air as a white police officer kneeled on his neck.
Atlanta-based CNN said that the crew, which included CNN reporter Omar Jiménez, was released later Friday morning.
RELATED: Why It Matters That the Police Involved in George Floyd’s Death Were Fired
While living on air, Jiménez was handcuffed and led away. A producer and a photojournalist for CNN have also led away in handcuffs. While reporting the event CNN anchors said that Jimenez identifies as black and Hispanic.
CNN’s communications team earlier said on Twitter that the crew was arrested “for doing their jobs, despite identifying themselves — a clear violation of their First Amendment rights.”
The Minnesota State Patrol said on Twitter that the journalists were among four people arrested as troopers were “clearing the streets and restoring order.” The patrol said they “were released once they were confirmed to be members of the media.”
Late Thursday in Minneapolis, cheering protesters torched a police station that the department abandoned as three days of violent protests spread to nearby St. Paul and angry demonstrations flared across the U.S.
RELATED: Celebrities Mobilize to Demand Justice for George Floyd
Politics
Teamsters and UPS Reach Tentative Deal to Avoid Strike, 340,000 Workers to Get Raises
The tentative deal represents a huge win for full- and part-time UPS Teamster workers, who would get significant pay raises and better working...
One Republican Senator Is Blocking 265 Military Promotions, Leaving the Marines Without a Confirmed Leader
Sen. Tommy Tuberville's decision means these military officers are not getting the pay raises they’re owed, cannot move their families to wherever...
Local News
Teamsters and UPS Reach Tentative Deal to Avoid Strike, 340,000 Workers to Get Raises
The tentative deal represents a huge win for full- and part-time UPS Teamster workers, who would get significant pay raises and better working...
One Republican Senator Is Blocking 265 Military Promotions, Leaving the Marines Without a Confirmed Leader
Sen. Tommy Tuberville's decision means these military officers are not getting the pay raises they’re owed, cannot move their families to wherever...