WASHINGTON, DC —Following the arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort for filming a protest in Minnesota, the Not Above the Law coalition’s co-chairs – Lisa Gilbert, Co-President of Public Citizen; Praveen Fernandes, Vice President of the Constitutional Accountability Center; Kelsey Herbert, Campaign Director at MoveOn; and Brett Edkins, Managing Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Stand Up America – released the following statement:
“These arrests mark another alarming attack in the Trump administration’s authoritarian assault on the First Amendment. Reporters have a constitutional right to document and share information with the public. The Trump administration’s goal is clear: silence journalists and prevent Americans from seeing the truth.
“A president who censors and targets journalists attacks every American’s constitutional rights. These charges must be dropped, and Congress must hold the Trump administration accountable for its systematic attacks on press freedom. A free press is non-negotiable for a functioning democracy.”
For questions about our work to hold Trump accountable or to request an interview with a Not Above the Law coalition leader, please email press@focalpointstrategygroup.com.