CNN reporter Omar Jimenez, crew arrested on air while covering protests in Minneapolis

In this screengrab from CNN, reporter Omar Jimenez is detained by police officers on May 29, 2020 in Minneapolis. (Photo: CNN)

CNN reporter Omar Jimenez was arrested while covering protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

During a live broadcast Friday, Jimenez and his crew were arrested by Minnesota State Patrol after identifying themselves and showing their press credentials. 

In a re-played clip, the arrest was shown on camera.

“We are live on the air at the moment. This is the four of us, we are one team. Just put us back where you want us, just let us know. Wherever you want us, just let us know,” Jimenez tells a row of police officers before an officer comes behind him with handcuffs. “Do you mind telling me why I’m under arrest, sir?”

Jimenez, who was covering the protests prompted by the death of George Floyd, tweeted about the scene earlier today.

“The images out of Minneapolis right now are unbelievable. Thousands in the streets, a police precinct on fire, fireworks being fired into those flames. All while we wait on whether charges will be filed against the officers involved in the death of George Floyd. #GeorgeFloyd,” he tweeted.

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CNN Communications team tweeted a statement about the incident, calling it “a clear violation of their First Amendment rights. The authorities in Minnesota, incl. the Governor, must release the 3 CNN employees immediately.”

CNN later reported that that network’s president talked to governor, who “deeply apologizes” calling what happened “totally unacceptable.” “We want the media there to cover this,” he added, saying he accepts full responsibility.

USA TODAY has reached out to the governor’s office for comment.

CNN kept the cameras rolling while they heard from other contributors.

“It doesn’t make any sense to me… you can see his credentials,” Law Enforcement Analyst Charles Ramsey said. “It just makes no sense.”

Correspondent Josh Campbell who was also at the protest said he wondered if appearances played a part. Campbell is white and Jimenez is Black and Hispanic.

“I was treated much differently than he was,” Campbell said. 

Later in the broadcast, you could hear officers announce, “You are ordered to leave this area immediately.”

Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died in police custody Monday after a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck.

The horrifying bystander video of Floyd’s death spread quickly on social media, showing the officer driving his knee into Floyd’s neck as the handcuffed man repeatedly says he can’t breathe.

Four officers involved in the incident have been fired, and an attorney representing Floyd’s family, Ben Crump, has called for their arrests.

Contributing: Ryan W. Miller and Jordan Culver, USA TODAY

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