CNN Crew Were Arrested Live On Air in Minneapolis

By Staff, CNN

A CNN crew was arrested while giving a live television report Friday morning in Minneapolis as the crew covered ongoing protests over the death in police custody of George Floyd.

They were released around an hour later.

State police detained CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez, his producer and his photojournalist shortly after 5 a.m. CT [6 a.m. ET] as Jimenez was reporting live from a street south of downtown, near where a police precinct building was earlier set ablaze.

Jimenez could be seen holding his CNN badge while reporting, identifying himself as a reporter, and telling the officers the crew would move wherever officers needed them to. An officer gripped his arm as Jimenez talked, then put him in handcuffs.

"We can move back to where you like. We are live on the air here. ... Put us back where you want us. We are getting out of your way -- wherever you want us [we'll] get out of your way," Jimenez said to police before he was led away.

"We were just getting out of your way when you were advancing through the intersection," Jimenez continued.

Later, after the crew was freed, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz told reporters: "We have got to ensure that there is a safe spot for journalism to tell the story."

The troopers were clearing the area at Walz's direction, he said, adding there was "absolutely no reason" for the journalists' arrests and that he takes full responsibility.

Jimenez and the others -- producer Bill Kirkos and photojournalist Leonel Mendez -- had been taken to the city's downtown public safety building after their arrest, but were released after 6 a.m. CT.