Minnesota state troopers arrested a CNN reporter and his crew on Friday while they were covering the aftermath of the third night of protests over the police killing of George Floyd.
CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez, his producer, and cameraman were arrested despite repeatedly identifying themselves as reporters.
"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 told cops before he was arrested. "We were just getting out of your way when you were advancing through the intersection.”
Police told the crew they were detained because they were told to move but did not.
Minnesota police claims it found out they were reporters later:
"In the course of clearing the streets and restoring order at Lake Street and Snelling Avenue, four people were arrested by State Patrol troopers, including three members of a CNN crew. The three were released once they were confirmed to be members of the media,” Minnesota State Patrol said in a statement.
CNN rejected the statement.
"This is not accurate -- our CNN crew identified themselves, on live television, immediately as journalists. We thank Minnesota @GovTimWalz for his swift action this morning to aid in the release of our crew,” the network said after the reporters were released.
Governor apologizes:
Gov. Tim Walz apologized to the network and said the arrests were “unacceptable.”
A white CNN reporter, Josh Cambell, said that he was treated much differently.
"I identified myself ... they said, 'OK, you're permitted to be in the area,'" he said. "I was treated much differently than (Jimenez) was."
