Minnesota police arrest CNN reporter on air covering Minneapolis protests

 

Police officers face protesters after a white police officer was caught on a bystander's video pressing his knee into the neck of African-American man George Floyd, who later died at a hospital, in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. May 28, 2020. REUTERS/Adam Bettcher

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Minnesota State Patrol arrested a CNN reporter reporting live on television early Friday morning while covering the Minneapolis protests, without giving any reason, and led him and three crew members away in handcuffs.

 

Black reporter Omar Jimenez had just shown a protester being arrested when about half a dozen white police officers surrounded him.

 

“We can move back to where you like,” Jimenez told the officers wearing gas masks and face shields, before explaining live on air that he and his crew were members of the press. “We’re getting out of your way.”

 

“This is among the state patrol unit that was advancing up the street, seeing and scattering the protesters at that point for people to clear the area. And so we walked away,” Jimenez said before being told he was under arrest and handcuffed by two officers. “Why am I under arrest, sir?”

 

CNN anchor John Berman told viewers about an hour after the arrest that CNN President Adam Zucker spoke with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who said he “deeply apologizes” and was working to have the crew released immediately.

 

Thursday marked a third night of arson, looting and vandalism in the Minnesota city over the death of a black man, George Floyd, seen on video gasping for breath while a white police officer knelt on his neck.

 

“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. The authorities in Minnesota, including the governor, must release the three CNN employees immediately,” CNN wrote on Twitter.

 

Walz had declared a state emergency and ordered the National Guard activated, and President Donald Trump suggested in a tweet that looters would be shot. Twitter accused him of breaking its rules by “glorifying violence.”

 

Protests also erupted in other major cities around the country.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-05-29

 

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Racism was exposed, live on the air. It was a worthy watch.

I just watched the video of the arrest of the news crew.

 

The kind of thing we might expect in nations run by dictators, now at home in Trump’s USA.

 

A direct attack on the first Amendment.

 

Utterly disgusting.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 29, 20206 yr by Chomper Higgot

4 minutes ago, RadicalVestor said:

Racism was exposed, live on the air. It was a worthy watch.

Rubbish, they wanted to get arrested, to manipulate useful idiots.  They repeatedly ignore officer directions to move.

Anyone notice how the White CNN Crew members were left alone, while the Black Guy was arrested, and taken away.

2 minutes ago, Heppinger said:

Rubbish, they wanted to get arrested, to manipulate useful idiots.  They repeatedly ignore officer directions to move.

The opposite. They even asked the police where they would like them to move to. Not once did the police say anything.

 

You can't spout your Trumpian fake news this time, its all there live on air.

10 minutes ago, Heppinger said:

Rubbish, they wanted to get arrested, to manipulate useful idiots.  They repeatedly ignore officer directions to move.

You of course have evidence to back this up.

 

The footage clearly shows the reporter telling the officers (who have surrounded the crew) that they will move to wherever the officers direct.

 

No direction is given, the officers arrest the crew and give no reason for why they are doing so.

 

The first Amendment it now very clearly under threat.

 

 

 

Edited May 29, 20206 yr by Chomper Higgot

4 minutes ago, Heppinger said:

I noticed plenty of useful idiots.

Yes, but the excuse ‘I was only following orders’ is already shown to be not enough.

No justice , no peace. Trump and his proxies seem determined to put petrol on the fire. God help America. 

Talk about an own goal!

 

Is it now an arrest-able offence to be a black TV reporter now in the USA?

 

Incidentally, perhaps someone should point out to the fellow in the khaki outfit, carrying some sort of rifle, and presumably deployed as some sort of overwatch, (4'13" in) that he will achieve the cube root of b*gg*r all standing in the middle of the road like a figure 11 target, and there are plenty of covered fire positions a few metres away.

The source itself:

 

https://www.livenewsmag.com/cnn-live/

Well some dumb cop just wrecked his career what a stupid move on the cops part of course trump will love it it furthers division just a really stupid move imo the news crew behaved perfectly well done on their part

The Gov of Minn is now supposed to officially apologize to CNN. Talk about Damage Control!

Edited May 29, 20206 yr by RadicalVestor

3 minutes ago, RadicalVestor said:

The Gov of Minn is now supposed to officially apologize to CNN. Talk about Damage Control!

 

It shows a police force that's out of control.  Their job is to enforce laws passed by elected officials.  Not make up their own on whims and emotions. 

 

While not tragic like the first incident, this one's going to do just as much damage in the long and short term.

 

With an goal like that, I hope the Minnesota Police don't have a soccer team!  

 

Can't decide if it's terrible training, institutional arrogance or blatant racism, but how did they think this could end well?

 

Up until now I thought the original tragic incident could have been a one-off caused by poor procedures, but now they look to have confirmed the root cause.

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I just watched the video of the arrest of the news crew.

 

The kind of thing we might expect in nations run by dictators, now at home in Trump’s USA.

 

A direct attack on the first Amendment.

 

Utterly disgusting.

 

 

lucky they weren't doctors spreading rumors on social media!

 

they might have been called down to the local police station for questioning, and then sent home.

Some off topic posts and replies have been removed. 

God, the guys just doing his job. Leave him alone. And I really hate CNN but this is wrong in so many ways.

Details about the 4 Police involved now starting to trickle. The Gray haired Cop pressing his knee, had had a history of complaints against him. This is turning into another Ferguson situation. I expect half the Minneapolis Police force could be replaced with a year or so.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferguson_Police_Department_(Missouri)

I'll also bet Dollars to Doughnuts that the 4 Police involved, Will be criminally charged with in a few hours time! - No way they are going through this weekend without some kind of major flame retardant.

Edited May 29, 20206 yr by RadicalVestor
Misspelled

Some bickering posts have been removed along with replies.

Please stick to the topic and avoid personal insults.

If anyone has EVIDENCE outside what was shown  live that the crew were asked to move, please provide it.

Without such, any further suggestion in direct contravention of what we all saw is trolling.

7 minutes ago, RadicalVestor said:

Details about the 4 Police involved now starting to trickle. The Gray haired Cop pressing his knee, had had a history of complaints against him. This is turning into another Ferguson situation. I expect half the Minneapolis Police force could be replaced with a year or so.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferguson_Police_Department_(Missouri)

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/28/us/minneapolis-officer-complaints-george-floyd/index.html

An Interesting twist between the Main Cop involved Derek Chauvin and the Victim George Floyd.

https://www.insider.com/george-floyd-derek-chauvin-worked-same-minneapolis-club-whole-year-2020-5

 

Wow, it's certainly going down in flames in the USA. I never seen a reporter and film crew being arrested in a western democracy before.

 

I've been predicting riots for months to my friends, but over covid-19 lockdowns, I was 50% correct.

Just look how those state troopers are all kitted out!  Does that look like America?  Not my America.

 

And the heck of it they will do it again . . .  and again.  There are no consequences for actions, no accountability, and their police unions can't wait to defend them.  Not only in the way they handled this press crew but the initial arrest that killed the black man.  They are well schooled in all the catch phrases:  "resisting"  "officer safety"  "going for his waistband" etc. 

 

Sadly, whenever one of these cops goes down I don't feel very badly anymore.

24 minutes ago, RickG16 said:

Are you American?

Wash your mouth out young man!

2 hours ago, RadicalVestor said:

Anyone notice how the White CNN Crew members were left alone, while the Black Guy was arrested, and taken away.

I did notice that that’s unfair why should he go first favouritism at its worst..

1 minute ago, bluebluewater said:

Just look how those state troopers are all kitted out!  Does that look like America?  Not my America.

 

And the heck of it they will do it again . . .  and again.  There are no consequences for actions, no accountability, and their police unions can't wait to defend them.  Not only in the way they handled this press crew but the initial arrest that killed the black man.  They are well schooled in all the catch phrases:  "resisting"  "officer safety"  "going for his waistband" etc. 

 

Sadly, whenever one of these cops goes down I don't feel very badly anymore.

Don't wear yourself out. Being a Cop in America. = Is a <deleted> job!

4 minutes ago, bluebluewater said:

Just look how those state troopers are all kitted out!  Does that look like America?  Not my America.

 

For those with long enough memories, it does look like America 

 

 

4 minutes ago, bluebluewater said:

Just look how those state troopers are all kitted out!  Does that look like America?  Not my America.

 

And the heck of it they will do it again . . .  and again.  There are no consequences for actions, no accountability, and their police unions can't wait to defend them.  Not only in the way they handled this press crew but the initial arrest that killed the black man.  They are well schooled in all the catch phrases:  "resisting"  "officer safety"  "going for his waistband" etc. 

 

Sadly, whenever one of these cops goes down I don't feel very badly anymore.

My American friends are like you. The kind of Americans us Brits used to call our cousins. I still believe that you are the majority in the US. I have to believe that. Unfortunately the world only sees the MAGA generation now an assumes that all Americans speak with the one voice. Terrible.

 

Time for you and millions like you to stand up, speak up and reclaim your once great and respected country.

 

Please, before its too late.