CNN national correspondent Sara Sidner has covered protests and civil unrest all over the world, and has in the past week been reporting on the aftermath of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis for the network. Reporters being arrested is nothing new; as in past protests, members of the press have had encounters with law enforcement.
“[They] oftentimes, in these kinds of protests, don’t give a damn if you’re the press, even when you identify yourself,” she notes.
But things came to a head when her colleague, CNN reporter Omar Jimenez, as well as producer Bill Kirkos and cameraperson Leonel Mendez, were arrested and detained in the early hours of May 29. It was the first time, Sidner says, she has seen that happen to a reporter live on air.
Watching Jimenez being put into handcuffs on air was, to her, an illustration of the systemic racism that sparked the protests in the first place.
“[They] oftentimes, in these kinds of protests, don’t give a damn if you’re the press, even when you identify yourself,” she notes.
But things came to a head when her colleague, CNN reporter Omar Jimenez, as well as producer Bill Kirkos and cameraperson Leonel Mendez, were arrested and detained in the early hours of May 29. It was the first time, Sidner says, she has seen that happen to a reporter live on air.
Watching Jimenez being put into handcuffs on air was, to her, an illustration of the systemic racism that sparked the protests in the first place.
- 6/3/2020
- by Angelique Jackson, Audrey Cleo Yap and Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
MSNBC anchor Ali Velshi usually gets to do his job from the comfort of a New York studio, surrounded by a helpful crew and the latest technology. On Saturday, he had to worry about being tear-gassed on the streets of Minneapolis.
Velshi, who has been delivering reports from the streets of that protest-torn city, was struck by a rubber bullet while covering the scene, just one of a number of mainstream press operatives confronted by new realities as they set about their job of trying to provide information to the public about a story that is more dangerous than the norm. Protesters have gathered in cities across the nation, ranging from Los Angeles and New York to Minneapolis and Salt Lake City, largely in reaction to the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
I’m hit in the leg by a rubber bullet but am fine.
Velshi, who has been delivering reports from the streets of that protest-torn city, was struck by a rubber bullet while covering the scene, just one of a number of mainstream press operatives confronted by new realities as they set about their job of trying to provide information to the public about a story that is more dangerous than the norm. Protesters have gathered in cities across the nation, ranging from Los Angeles and New York to Minneapolis and Salt Lake City, largely in reaction to the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
I’m hit in the leg by a rubber bullet but am fine.
- 5/31/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
4th Update, 12 Pm Pt: CNN says that it accepts Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s apology after reporter Omar Jimenez and a network crew were arrested early Wednesday while covering the George Floyd protests. Watch the video of the arrest above.
A CNN spokesperson said, “We accept Governor Walz’s apology and appreciate the sincerity of his words about the arrest of our crew this morning. As journalists, the First Amendment gives us not only the right but also the responsibility to shine light in darkness and hold those in power to account. With that in mind, we will move forward and continue our work in Minneapolis and everywhere else stories need to be told.”
Jimenez and two members of the crew, producer Bill Kirkos and photojournalist Leonel Mendez, were arrested as they were doing a CNN live shot. They were released, but CNN worldwide president Jeff Zucker spoke with Walz...
A CNN spokesperson said, “We accept Governor Walz’s apology and appreciate the sincerity of his words about the arrest of our crew this morning. As journalists, the First Amendment gives us not only the right but also the responsibility to shine light in darkness and hold those in power to account. With that in mind, we will move forward and continue our work in Minneapolis and everywhere else stories need to be told.”
Jimenez and two members of the crew, producer Bill Kirkos and photojournalist Leonel Mendez, were arrested as they were doing a CNN live shot. They were released, but CNN worldwide president Jeff Zucker spoke with Walz...
- 5/29/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
A crew of CNN reporters were arrested early Friday morning in Minneapolis for … well, it’s not totally clear.
Correspondent Omar Jimenez, producer Bill Kirkos, and camera operator Leonel Mendez were taken into custody by Minnesota State Police while reporting on street closures that followed a night of protests over the death of George Floyd. The period prior to the arrests and the arrests themselves were broadcast live on the network.
As seen in the video, Jimenez clearly states to law enforcement that the crew will comply with any directions.
Correspondent Omar Jimenez, producer Bill Kirkos, and camera operator Leonel Mendez were taken into custody by Minnesota State Police while reporting on street closures that followed a night of protests over the death of George Floyd. The period prior to the arrests and the arrests themselves were broadcast live on the network.
As seen in the video, Jimenez clearly states to law enforcement that the crew will comply with any directions.
- 5/29/2020
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
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