Don Lemon Arrested at Anti-ICE Protest

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon has been a vocal critic of ICE for years, and recently found himself in a controversial situation. He was arrested on Friday during a livestream event at a St. Paul’s Cities Church service, which was disrupted by anti-ICE demonstrators. Lemon insisted he was there in a journalistic capacity, not as an active protester. Despite this claim, his previous remarks about ICE suggest he has often supported anti-ICE sentiments.

In a video he shared on January 8, Lemon expressed his disdain toward ICE, saying, “F— off, ICE. F— off forever,” in reaction to an incident involving the shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good in Minnesota.

Lemon has not held back in his criticism of ICE, labeling them “bottom losers” empowered by former President Trump, and denouncing their treatment of individuals as “inhumane.” He made a pointed remark about them being poorly educated and called them “thugs” during a livestream.

Back in October, he urged the Black and brown communities to “legally obtain guns,” suggesting that it was a necessary step if ICE agents showed up at their doors, pointing to the Second Amendment as a protective measure against such intrusions.

His statements against ICE stretch back to Trump’s first term when Lemon was in the prime-time spotlight on CNN. In July 2018, he criticized ICE officials for comparing detainment centers for families to “summer camps,” calling it “astonishingly tone-deaf.” He also pointed out that children affected by ICE raids faced significant emotional turmoil, especially when separated from their parents during back-to-school periods.

Lemon labeled Trump’s immigration policies as cruel, stating that even the Statue of Liberty would be “ashamed.” His concerns over ICE raids were echoed around June 2019 when he warned viewers that fear was permeating immigrant communities across the country.

Recently, after the controversial events at the church, Lemon drew attention for his remarks about the thuggish nature of ICE agents and expressed that karma would eventually catch up with them. He faced legal threats from the Justice Department regarding his involvement in the protests, raising questions about whether his journalistic role would safeguard him from legal accountability under certain acts.

Abby Lowell, Lemon’s attorney, firmly defended his actions, asserting that Lemon’s longtime journalism work was constitutionally protected. She critiqued the Justice Department for focusing on Lemon rather than investigating the federal agents involved in violent incidents against peaceful protesters.

While the implications of the protest and subsequent arrest continue to unfold, Lemon’s history with ICE and his strong opinions highlight a significant ongoing debate about immigration policies in the country.