DEVELOPING STORY: Independent Journalist Georgia Fort Arrested for Documenting Church Protest

UPDATE 3:30 p.m. CST

Georgia Fort has been released from federal custody. More updates to follow...

UPDATE 11:40 a.m. CST

Local community leaders and members of Georgia Fort's family hold a press conference calling for her immediate release. Fort is facing two charges: Conspiracy Against Right of Religious Freedom at Place of Worship (18:241) and Injure, Intimidate and Interfere with Exercise of Right of Religious Freedom at Place of Worship (18:248 (a) (2), (b), and 2(a). Link to view press conference here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUJOPFqj6lR/?igsh=MWk2aTUxMTZ5ZHVtbQ%3D%3D

UPDATE 12:02 p.m. CST

Statement issued on behalf of Georgia Fort by her counsel: Georgia Fort, Emmy-award winning independent journalist and NABJ Minnesota Vice President, was arrested early today, January 30, in connection with her news reporting on the anti-ICE demonstration at a St. Paul church service on January 18. She is scheduled for an initial appearance at 1:30 p.m. today in federal court in Minneapolis and we expect her to be released. Fort was present at the demonstration solely in a journalistic capacity, documenting an event of significant public interest and concern. The free speech and free press guarantees of the First Amendment fully protect such newsgathering and reporting activities and Fort's arrest is a transparent and unconstitutional attempt by our federal government to intimidate journalists and chill their protected speech. She will be vigorously defending herself against these charges.

January 30, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. CST

Georgia Fort was arrested at her home by federal agents just after 6 a.m. this morning and taken to the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, MN. Fort was arrested in connection with reporting and observation of the protest at the Cities Church in St. Paul, MN on January 18.

Fort, an Emmy-award winning independent journalist and founder of BLCK Press told her online audience this morning, "As a member of the press, I filmed the church protest a few weeks ago and now I'm being arrested for that." She continued, "It's hard to understand how we have a Constitution, Constitutional rights when we can just be arrested for being a member of the press."

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was also arrested by federal agents late Thursday night in Los Angeles in connection with the protest. Minnesota residents Jamael Lundy, and Trahern Crews were also taken into custody on Friday morning.

There is a press conference scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at the Minneapolis Federal Court Building and a "Free Georgia!" rally at 1:00 p.m.

Fort's hearing is scheduled for today at 1:30 at the U.S. Courthouse in Minneapolis.