Black Officials Raise Concerns About Independent Black Media After Don Lemon's Arrest

Elected leaders and journalists discuss the vulnerability of Black reporters covering protests and dissent.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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After the arrest of journalist Don Lemon in Los Angeles, Black elected officials and journalists convened a Zoom roundtable to discuss the implications for press freedom and the challenges facing independent Black media. The discussion expanded beyond Lemon's case to include the arrest of Minneapolis journalist Georgia Fort, highlighting how Black reporters without major institutional backing are often the most vulnerable when covering protests and civil rights issues.

Why it matters

The arrests of Lemon and Fort raise concerns about the ability of journalists, particularly those working outside of major media institutions, to report on protests, government actions, and civil rights issues without fear of retaliation. This threatens the public's right to information and undermines democratic accountability.

The details

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attended Don Lemon's federal court appearance after his arrest for conduct tied to his reporting on a protest in St. Paul, Minnesota. Bass then convened a Zoom roundtable with Black elected leaders and journalists to discuss the case and its broader implications. Participants raised concerns that Lemon's speech and presence were being used to transform journalistic activity into evidence of criminal intent, placing independent Black journalists at heightened risk. They noted that Black journalists were among those arrested during the multiracial Minnesota protest, a pattern they described as familiar when covering protests, immigration enforcement, policing, or civil rights issues.

  • On Jan. 30, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attended independent journalist Don Lemon's federal court appearance.
  • Shortly afterward, Bass convened a Zoom roundtable of Black elected leaders, city officials, and journalists.

The players

Karen Bass

The mayor of Los Angeles who attended Don Lemon's court appearance and convened the Zoom roundtable discussion.

Don Lemon

An independent journalist who was arrested by federal authorities for conduct tied to his reporting on a protest in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Georgia Fort

An award-winning Minneapolis journalist who was also arrested and charged in connection with her coverage of the protest in St. Paul.

Sydney Kamlager-Dove

A U.S. Representative (D-CA-37) who participated in the Zoom roundtable discussion.

Holly Mitchell

A Los Angeles County Supervisor (2nd District) who participated in the Zoom roundtable discussion.

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What they’re saying

“Journalists must be able to report on protests, government actions, and civil rights issues without fear of arrest or retaliation. When reporters are targeted for doing their jobs, it threatens the public's right to know and undermines our democracy.”

— Sydney Kamlager-Dove, U.S. Representative (D-CA-37)

“Black journalists have long played a critical role in documenting what others overlook or avoid. When reporters are arrested for covering protests, it sends a message that truth-telling itself is being criminalized.”

— Tina McKinnor, Assemblymember (D-Inglewood)

“When journalists are arrested for documenting protests, it sends a chilling message not just to the press, but to the public.”

— Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, State Senator (D-Los Angeles)

The takeaway

The arrests of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort highlight the vulnerability of independent Black journalists, particularly those covering protests, civil rights issues, and dissent. This raises concerns about press freedom and the public's right to information, underscoring the critical role Black media plays in holding power accountable and documenting underreported stories.