Don Lemon pleads not guilty to conspiracy charges stemming from Minnesota church protest

Former CNN host Don Lemon pleaded not guilty Friday to charges stemming from a protest that disrupted a Minnesota church service over the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in the state.

Lemon was arrested late last month and charged with conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshipers during the Jan. 18 protest at the Cities Church in St. Paul. 

The former news anchor has argued that he was covering the protest in Minnesota as an independent journalist who was livestreaming the event and did not engage in the protest. 

Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko reminded Lemon that he is allowed to travel as part of his job if he does not violate any state or federal laws, and Lemon pleaded not guilty to all charges, according to NBC News.

"I wanted to say this isn't just about me, this is about all journalists, especially in the United States," Lemon told reporters outside the court. "For more than 30 years, I've been a journalist, and the power and protection of the First Amendment has been the underpinning of my work. The First Amendment, freedom of the press, is the bedrock of our democracy.

"I'd like to thank everyone again for their support," Lemon continued. "To my colleagues, countless journalists around the world ... my family and my friends, you all have showed up for me in a real way, and I am extremely grateful for that."

Lemon was arraigned alongside other protesters in the case, including Nekima Levy Armstrong, St. Paul School Board member Chauntyll Allen, William Kelly, Ian Davis Austin, and Jerome Deangelo Richardson.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.