A CNN crew was arrested while giving a live television report Friday morning in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The crew was eventually released about an hour later. State police detained CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez, his producer and his photojournalist shortly after 5am CT as Jimenez was reporting live from a street south of downtown, near where a police precinct was earlier set ablaze.
Jimenez showed the officers his CNN badge while reporting. He also verbally identified himself as a reporter. in addition he told the officers the crew would move wherever they would like them to.
We can move back to where you like. We are live on the air here, said Jimenez
The Minneapolis State Patrol said this about the incident:
“In the course of clearing the streets and restoring order at Lake Street and Snelling Avenue, four people were arrested by State Patrol troopers, including three members of a CNN crew. The three were released once they were confirmed to be members of the media.”
CNN disputed the state police characterization in a statement on Twitter.
“This is not accurate – our CNN crew identified themselves, on live television, immediately as journalists. We thank Minnesota @GovTimWalz for his swift action this morning to aid in the release of our crew.”
For a portion of time overnight police weren’t in the area. Around 100 troopers arrived Friday morning according to Jimenez. Additional buildings were burned to the ground, including police stations which had been left behind by officers fleeing the ongoing situation.
This article cites information from the Associated Press. For more sports, news and entertainment follow the Midwest Sports Network on Twitter @MWSNsports or like MWSN on Facebook.
