Omar Jimenez, a CNN reporter, was arrested on-air while covering the protests in the streets of Minneapolis. The black reporter identified himself as a member of the media and tried to justify his presence to police officers.
The network’s official Twitter account called the arrest a violation of the crew’s first amendment rights.
A black reporter from CNN was arrested while legally covering the protests in Minneapolis. A white reporter also on the ground was not. https://t.co/GcfwEvyYQC pic.twitter.com/Mg4ZwKIuKt
— CNN (@CNN) May 29, 2020
Jimenez’s crew included a producer and camera operator who were also placed in handcuffs and arrested by Minnesota State Patrol. Their camera captured the entire arrest as the officers were unaware that they were still filming. The arrest occurred at around 5am local time.
CNN journalist Josh Campbell, who is white, was not far from Jimenez and his team but was not arrested by police. Here’s what he told CNN anchor Berman:
“I was treated much differently than [CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez] was. I’m sitting here talking to the National Guard, talking to the police. They’re asking politely to move here and there.,” he said. “A couple times I’ve moved closer than they would like. They asked politely to move back. They didn’t pull out the handcuffs. Lot different here than what Omar experienced.”
CNN reporter Omar Jimenez, who is black and Latino, and his team were arrested by officers early this morning in Minneapolis. Not far away, CNN journalist Josh Campbell, who is white, says he was “treated much differently.” https://t.co/1ZpqdyJON2 pic.twitter.com/vPFLTx8UnK
— CNN (@CNN) May 29, 2020
Jimenez and his team were released from jail an hour later and has since given an account of the events that transpired before and after their arrests.
Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz has since apologized for the arrests and condemned the actions taken by police against the crew of four, deeming their actions as “unacceptable”. Jimenez was not released from police custody until three hours later.
The murder of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis has caused widespread protests.
