Stephen A. Smith Supports Don Lemon Following His Arrest

Stephen A. Smith has stepped up in defense of journalist Don Lemon after Lemon’s recent arrest. This incident occurred earlier this week and has raised some eyebrows.

Lemon was indicted on Friday in Los Angeles on charges related to conspiracy and violations of the FACE Act. His arrest followed a protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where ICE agents were present. Video footage showed protesters interrupting the service, chanting against ICE.

Lemon stated that he was merely there to report on the event, claiming, “I’m just here taking pictures, I’m not part of the group. … I’m a journalist,” in a video he shared on YouTube.

The ESPN host emphasized that Lemon’s arrest infringed upon his First Amendment rights, arguing that being in the media, regardless of affiliation, was a valid reason for him to be there. “Don Lemon is a journalist. He’s been doing this for 30 years, including 17 years at CNN. Just because he’s independent now doesn’t discredit his work,” Smith remarked.

Smith expressed his frustration, saying, “What he’s experiencing is just wrong. As a journalist myself, I really think everyone in journalism ought to support him. This includes folks on the right.” He acknowledged that, while Lemon’s decision to attend the protest might not have been wise, it didn’t justify the consequences he faced. “You might not agree with his actions, but this is about supporting the First Amendment and protecting freedom of the press.”

Lemon has enlisted attorney Abby Lowell, famed for representing Hunter Biden. Lowell affirmed that his client attended the protest in a journalistic capacity, not as an activist, adding that Lemon’s constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was consistent with his established career.

The context of Lemon’s arrest is significant, as Minnesota has recently become a hotspot for immigration protests, especially in light of certain tragic events in the area.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump hinted at a desire to ease tensions in Minnesota, although specifics on how this would unfold remain unclear.