STATEMENT: Arrest of Don Lemon Is Dangerous Attack on Freedom of the Press

Washington, D.C. — After reports that journalist and former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested on charges that he violated federal law while covering a protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, Neera Tanden, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:

When the government starts arresting journalists for covering news events, no one is safe. Assailing and intimidating the press are hallmarks of authoritarian governments. This is a dangerous escalation by the Trump administration against the media and First Amendment rights. All people who believe free speech is a cornerstone of liberty must call on this administration to end its attacks on our freedoms.

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