Authored by Savannah Hulsey Pointer via The Epoch Times,
Former CNN host Don Lemon has asked a federal judge to dismiss the charges brought against him in connection with an anti-immigration enforcement protest at a Minnesota church.
The January protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations interrupted a worship service at the church. Lemon, who was charged with violating federal civil rights laws, argued that he was not participating in the protest but was there only to document the events.
Lemon’s attorneys filed a motion on Aug. 7 claiming the indictment against their client was the result of “vindictive prosecution.” The filing called the charges “flagrant and blatant efforts to punish a journalist for his protected conduct warrant further discovery into the government’s motive and an evidentiary hearing.”
They cited President Donald Trump’s previous negative comments about Lemon as evidence of bias.
On Jan. 18, Lemon attended a protest at Minneapolis Cities Church at the height of ICE action in Minneapolis. He was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles on Jan. 29.
He and eight other defendants were charged with one count of “conspiracy against the right of religious freedom at a place of worship” under 18 U.S. Code § 241 in February of this year.
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