When reporting the news can get you arrested, democracy isn’t just threatened, it’s gasping for air.

That’s exactly what happened Thursday night in Minnesota. Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested for allegedly violating federal law during a protest at Cities Church in St. Paul. Lemon says he was there doing his job, covering a demonstration against the immigration crackdown on Jan. 18.

Anthony W. Haddad

The Millennial View

The Trump administration is reportedly seeking charges against eight people over the protest, citing federal statutes meant to protect the right of people to participate in religious services without interference. Specifically, prosecutors referenced 18 U.S.C. § 248, which bars obstruction or intimidation at places of worship, and 18 U.S.C. § 241, which criminalizes conspiracies to deprive individuals of constitutional rights, including the free exercise of religion.

Prosecutors allege the protest inside the church crossed that line.

Independent journalist Georgia Fort, who was also covering the demonstration, said she had been indicted by a grand jury. Media reports indicate roughly 40 protesters were present that day.

Lemon and Fort maintain they were simply documenting events, they weren’t blocking doors or leading chants, but federal law doesn’t explicitly carve out protections for journalists.

Russia, Turkey, China, Now the US

This isn’t how it’s supposed to work in a free country. Arresting journalists for observing public protests inside a place of worship mirrors practices in authoritarian states.

In Russia, reporters covering anti-government protests are regularly jailed; in Turkey, journalists exposing government corruption face terrorism-related charges; in China, covering protests or human-rights abuses can lead to imprisonment.

The United States has long positioned itself as the global standard for press freedom, yet here we are, inching uncomfortably close to the same playbook.

From a Millennial perspective, this is terrifying. We grew up expecting democracy to mean freedom of speech and a free press. Watching reporters get arrested for observing and documenting events signals a chilling precedent.

Laws designed to protect worshippers are being used to potentially punish those holding power accountable. If journalists can’t cover protests without fearing arrest, it’s not just the press that suffers — it’s everyone who relies on them to stay informed.

I want to be clear: I don’t think storming a church is the best way for protesters to get their message across. Sure, they succeeded in drawing attention, but it came at the cost of spreading fear, on both sides.

I also understand the argument: “If protesters can do it, does that mean journalists can join?” That’s a gray area, no doubt. But arresting reporters and charging them feels like a stretch when all they’re doing is documenting what’s happening. Honestly, the only reason we even know about this protest is because of the media.

Lefty or Right Winger

Don’t get it twisted, I know some of you are already rolling your eyes and thinking, “Fake news,” or ready to call me a “fascist this” or “snowflake that.” I couldn’t care less what side of the political isle war you’re on.

Journalists tell the story of what’s happening around us — that’s the job. Seriously, the range of emails I get every week, from “you’re a conservative a‑hole” to “you lib‑t‑rd,” is, quite frankly, hilarious. If I report on an ICE protest, I’m a lefty. If I cover a pro‑police event, suddenly I’m right wing.

Here’s the reality: Reporters aren’t here to give you exactly what you want to hear all the time. We’re here to share what is happening so that while you’re out working your butt off or trying to enjoy a Sunday with your family, you don’t miss what’s really going on in this country. The shooting in Clovis on Thursday? We got you. Community Health Systems not having insurance agreements with Blue Shield? We got you. Catherine O’Hara passing away on Friday? We got you.

You can sit on Facebook and be the crusader you always wanted to be, yelling “no one cares” or calling us every name in the book. That’s your right. But at the end of the day, journalists are meant to hold power accountable. We tell you when the government is using your money in ways that harm your community, when people in authority mess up, and when democracy itself is rolling over. We also tell you when stocks are on the rise, gas prices drop, and when you need to evacuate because of wildfires.

At GV Wire, we also strive to document how government spends your tax dollars.

That’s not activism — that’s accountability.

We’re supposed to live in a country where documenting history doesn’t make you a criminal. Right now, that’s no longer a guarantee.

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