Minnesota governor apologizes for arrest of CNN crew
Following a arrest of a CNN crew on live television set by police on Friday, an apologetic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz promised that journalists would not be interfered with in reporting on violent protests following the death of George Floyd.
CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez and two colleagues were released in a hour after network chief executive Jeff Zucker called Walz to demand answers about why these were led away and in a police van.
"We have surely got to ensure that there exists a safe spot for journalism to tell this story," Walz said.
Jimenez and colleagues Bill Kirkos and Leonel Mendez were performing a live shot for CNN's "New Day" soon after 5 a.m. Central Time, describing a nights fire and anger in the wake of Floyd's death after a Minneapolis police office knelt on his neck. Fired officer Derek Chauvin was charged with murder in that case later Friday.
When first approached by officers, Jimenez, who's black, told them, "put us back where you want us. We are receiving out of the right path."
After being told he was being arrested and his hands were tied behind his back, Jimenez asked why he was being arrested. He did not get an answer.
The Minnesota State Patrol said on Twitter that the journalists were among four people arrested as troopers were "clearing the streets and restoring order" following a protests. The patrol said the CNN journalists "were released after they were confirmed to be members of the media."
It isn't clear why these were confused: Jimenez was holding what were a laminated ID card before his hands were secured, and his fellow crew members told police that these were from CNN and showing the scene go on the air.
"I've never seen anything such as this," CNN "New Day" co-anchor John Berman said.
After released, Jimenez said that he was glad that his arrest was displayed on the air.
"You don't need to doubt my story," he said. "It isn't filtered in any way. You saw it for your own eyes. That gave me a small amount of comfort. Nonetheless it was definitely nerve-wracking."
At a later news conference, Walz said that "I take full responsibility. There is no reason something like that should happen ... This is an extremely public apology compared to that team."
The arrest drew widespread condemnation over the news industry. CNN competition MSNBC, CBS News and Fox News all issued statements to get Jimenez, along with the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Association of Black Journalists.
CNN accepted Walz's apology, saying the network appreciated the sincerity of his words.
Walz's words to get journalists have impact at a time when the news headlines media is often under attack, said Jane E. Kirtley, Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law and director of the Silha Center at the University of Minnesota.
"It's important for the governor to make that sort of statement to emphasize to everyone, especially police, that the press has a crucial job to do ... plus they need to be respected," said Kirtley, who lives blocks away from the protests and may still smell smoke from the fires on Friday.
