CNN news team released from custody after arrest while covering George Floyd protests on live TV
A CNN reporter and his production crew were released from custody less than two hours after being arrested in Minneapolis Friday morning during a live broadcast about the ongoing protests over the officer-involved death of George Floyd.
News correspondent Omar Jimenez and his team were taken into custody because they allegedly didn't heed a police request to move, according to the news outlet.
"A CNN reporter and his production team were arrested this morning in Minneapolis for doing their jobs, despite identifying themselves _ a clear violation of their First Amendment rights," CNN said in a statement.
Officers ran toward the crew _ which also included producer Bill Kirkos and photojournalist Leonel Mendez _ around 5 a.m. local time. They'd been attempting to arrest a protester as the CNN news team provided an on-air update on protests sparked by the death of Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who repeatedly said he couldn't breathe while an officer knelt down on the back of his neck Monday while he was handcuffed.
Video shows Jimenez, who is black and Latino, holding up his badge and attempting to identify himself as a reporter before an officer grabbed him and then cuffed him.
"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," he added
In a broadcast following his release, Jimenez said that the officer who arrested him was polite enough but did not have any information about the situation.
"I'm just following orders," Jimenez was told.
_New York Daily News
