Journalist Georgia Fort Arrested Over Church Protest

Fort was one of four people charged in connection with a demonstration at a St. Paul church

Jan. 30, 2026 at 10:47am

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Georgia Fort, a Minneapolis freelance journalist, was taken into federal custody on Friday following a grand jury indictment. Fort was one of four people, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon, arrested in connection with a protest at a St. Paul church earlier this month. Fort has been critical of the Trump administration's immigration policies and has argued that journalists need to be bold in this era.

Why it matters

The arrest of a journalist covering protests raises concerns about press freedom and the government's crackdown on dissent. Fort's case highlights the risks journalists face when reporting on controversial issues and the potential for the authorities to target them.

The details

Fort was arrested at her home by federal agents on Friday. She had attended the January 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, where one of the pastors is a senior U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official. Fort has called the demonstration lawful dissent. She was among a group of activists and journalists who participated in the protest.

  • Fort was arrested by federal agents on Friday, January 30, 2026.
  • The protest at Cities Church in St. Paul took place on January 18, 2026.

The players

Georgia Fort

A Minneapolis freelance journalist who has been critical of the Trump administration's immigration policies and has argued that journalists need to be bold in this era.

Don Lemon

A former CNN anchor who was also arrested in connection with the protest at the St. Paul church.

Trahern Jeen Crews

One of the four people charged in connection with the protest at the St. Paul church.

Jamael Lydell Lundy

One of the four people charged in connection with the protest at the St. Paul church.

Pam Bondi

The Attorney General who directed the arrests of the four individuals in connection with the protest at the St. Paul church.

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What they’re saying

“We can't be neutral about the dismantling of our democracy and still expect to be protected by it. We cannot allow our fear to paralyze us.”

— Georgia Fort, Journalist (Podcast interview)

“Civil disobedience and protesting is not intended to be comfortable or even agreeable. History teaches us most protesters got in trouble for taking a stand against injustices.”

— Georgia Fort, Journalist (Video posted online)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Georgia Fort to be released on bail.

The takeaway

The arrest of a journalist covering protests highlights the risks journalists face when reporting on controversial issues and the potential for the authorities to target them, raising concerns about press freedom and the government's crackdown on dissent.