CNN reporter Omar Jimenez, who was arrested on live television while covering the protests following the death of George Floyd, has been released.
Jimenez and his crew were arrested by the Minnesota State Patrol on air, even after identifying themselves and displaying their press credentials.
Speaking after his release, Jimenez stated that the officers were “cordial” during the on-camera encounter and informed him that they were following orders, but did not disclose who was issuing the orders. He also sought guidance for his broadcast team, to which the officer responded, “Look, I don’t know man, I’m just following orders.”
He recounted his experience, mentioning that the individuals leading him away were not violent and that they engaged in a conversation about the tumultuous events in the city. Jimenez also found comfort in the fact that the arrest was captured on live television, allowing people to witness the incident without doubts.
The arrest sparked a backlash on social media, particularly in response to a tweet from the Minnesota State Patrol announcing the arrest. Filmmaker Ava DuVernay criticized the statement, calling it a lie and disingenuous.
CNN Communications team criticized the incident as a clear violation of First Amendment rights and called for the immediate release of the CNN employees. The statement from the news agency led to a conversation between the network’s president and Governor Tim Walz, who deeply apologized for the incident and accepted full responsibility.
In contrast, another CNN reporter, Josh Campbell, who is white, reported being treated differently by the police in the same area. Campbell was allowed to remain after identifying himself, in stark contrast to Jimenez’s experience.
Before his arrest, Jimenez had commented on the situation in Minneapolis, and after his release, he showed he was back to work through a tweeted photo.
