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Source: Photo courtesy of Georgia Fort’s website / Georgia Fort

The recent arrest of Don Lemon has cast a spotlight on Emmy Award–winning journalist Georgia Fort, a former news anchor and radio host, who now works as an independent journalist based in Minnesota. Fort was reporting from the front lines during the anti-ICE protest at Cities Church in St. Paul on Jan. 18. As the situation continues to unfold, questions are being raised about who Fort is and why she has become the target of federal action.

On Jan. 30, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that Lemon, Fort, and two other individuals were arrested “in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Jan. 18.” Supporters of both journalists contend the arrests were unjustified, stressing that Lemon and Fort were not involved in organizing or participating in the protest and were present solely to report on the demonstration, a right protected under the First Amendment.

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Fort maintained her innocence Friday morning during a Facebook Live broadcast shortly before surrendering to federal agents. She said agents arrived at her home with what she described as an “indictment” issued by a grand jury calling for her arrest.

“This is all stemming from the fact that I filmed a protest as a member of the media,” she said. “We are supposed to have our constitutional right of the freedom to film, to be a member of the press. I don’t feel like I have my First Amendment right as a member of the press because now federal agents are at my door, arresting me for filming the church protest a few weeks ago. Again, I don’t have a long time, but I wanted you to know from me, agents are at my door right now.”

Fort was released from custody Friday afternoon, according to a video published by Fox 9. She thanked her supporters for advocating for her innocence and questioned whether the First Amendment was still a right in America.

“As I reflect as a journalist who has worked in media for more than 17 years, I leave this federal courthouse today with one question. Do we have a constitution? I should be protected under the First Amendment just like all of the journalists who I’ve been advocating for too. I’ve been advocating for mainstream media journalists who have been brutalized for months. Do we have a constitution? That is the pressing question that should be on the front of everyone’s minds.”

She added, “Documenting what is happening in our community is not a crime.”

A video obtained by reporter Phillip Lewis on Threads also captured Fort being embraced with hugs by supporters and family as she was released.

The post Press Under Fire! Who Is Georgia Fort, The Journalist Arrested With Don Lemon For Filming An ICE Protest And Doing Her Job appeared first on MadameNoire.

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