National Urban League Condemns the Arrest of Journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort

NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE CONDEMNS THE ARREST OF JOURNALISTS DON LEMON AND GEORGIA FORT

NEW YORK (January 30, 2026) — National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial today condemned the arrest of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort as they were performing their constitutionally-protected duty of informing the public during a protest in Minneapolis.

"A free and independent press is a foundational pillar of our democracy, and any effort to intimidate, silence, or criminalize journalistic activity is an affront to the constitutional rights we all share," Morial said. "The arrest of journalists is the act of an administration bent on deception and secrecy and a clear intimidation tactic."

Suppression of independent media, Morial noted, is a clear hallmark of authoritarianism.

“Journalists play a crucial role in ensuring transparency and accountability, particularly during moments of civic action,” Morial said. “The unjust arrest of a member of the press not only violates their rights, it undermines the public’s right to know. This incident is deeply troubling and demands a full, transparent review.”

Morial called for the immediate dismissal of criminal charges against Lemon and Fort and a commitment from the Trump administration to safeguard the First Amendment rights of journalists covering demonstrations, particularly those documenting issues of civil rights, racial justice, and community advocacy.

"This moment requires a renewed commitment to the constitutional protections that safeguard free expression and public accountability," Morial said. "We stand in solidarity with all journalists who courageously report from the front lines of our nation’s ongoing pursuit of equity and justice."