“I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now. In fact, there is no more important time than this very moment for a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth and holds those in power accountable.”
Don Lemon, independent news journalist, on 1/30/26 in his first statement after being arrested by federal officers.
Don Lemon was one of four people arrested in connection to an ICE protest in Cities Church located in St. Paul, Minnesota. Those arrests included independent journalist Georgia Fort as well as activists Jamael Lydell Lundy and Trahern Jeen Crews. The Justice Department has decided to pursue charges despite the fact that a federal judge in Minnesota refused to sign an arrest warrant for Lemon.
Three others, including Minneapolis civil rights lawyer Nekima Levy Armstrong, had previously been arrested in connection to the same protest.
Overview of timeline as of 1/30/26 here.
Linda hosts One-Liner Wednesday.
Riddle from the Middle 
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❤ I stand with al of them
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When I click the like button here, it’s because I appreciate you shining your light. Shine on, Laura.
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I appreciate you, JoAnna. 💛
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❤ I appreciate you, too, Laura.
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I clicked “like”, but the truth is I do not like. I fear. I hate. I harbor evil thoughts about so much of what is going on. Will the “powers that be” ever open their eyes and try some independent thinking and acting?
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You’re right, a like button is not at all appropriate to the feelings this generates. Sometimes my hope flounders because the powers that be are living in a corrupted system — half are rewarded for their compliance and the other half keep operating like the normal methods will bring change. Some days I honestly don’t know if we’ll make it back from this.
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A situation that we see here everyday. The media has been gagged.
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And that’s limiting because having accurate information is so important for the people to make decisions for themselves. We’re seeing much of that in our mainstream media — the most accurate info comes from independent and international sources.
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Indeed that is so true. Over here the media, tv and print are both under the control of the defecto dictatorship. Only those journalists who are not in Pakistan can dare to speak the truth on the Vlogs.
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