Lemon Arraigned in Court After Charges on Church Invasion

Former CNN host Don Lemon pleaded not guilty in federal court in Minnesota Friday for accompanying agitators who invaded a Sunday service in a Minnesota church, Reuters reports. 

Lemon, who professes he was covering the outburst in the church as a journalist, and eight agitators were charged with conspiracy in violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994, a law that specifically bans obstruction or threats at places of worship and abortion clinics. 

A federal grand jury in Minnesota indicted Lemon and others for alleged conspiracy against the right of religious freedom at a place of worship, as well as conspiracy to intimidate and interfere with exercise of the right of religious freedom at a place of worship.

The case appears to be about Lemon’s First Amendment right to press freedom, juxtaposed with federal laws protecting church attendees.

Federal prosecutors allege that Lemon participated in the planning of the intrusion at Cities Church in St. Paul on Jan. 18. 

Lemon’s defense is that he was merely observing and covering the disruption and had the First Amendment right to document it as a news event. 

Agitators entered the church carrying signs opposing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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