Well, this is not a good day for this CNN crew member. It looks like the authorities are finally starting to crack down on the streets of Minnesota after what appears to be two straight days of rioting over the death of George Floyd.
Omar Jimenez was trying to ask the state patrol where exactly they wanted them to go but perhaps they were already not where they were supposed to be in the aftermath of the Minneapolis protesting. Two others in the crew appear to have been arrested as well but they were all later released. The patrol later released a statement:
The Minneapolis State Patrol said this about the incident: “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.”
It appears pretty apparent in the video that they were members of the media (if you call CNN that) but state officials claim they weren’t sure when they took them down. You can see the entire bizarre situation in the video below, when emotions all around are sure to be running high due the death of George Floyd and perpetual rioting which has sparked riots in big cities around the nation. WATCH:
CNN’s Abby Phillips tweeted out in dismay about the event: “Wow. Police in Minneapolis just arrested @OmarJimenez live on CNN. What is going on?? Our camera crew and Omar’s producer also now being arrested.”
Wow. Police in Minneapolis just arrested @OmarJimenez live on CNN. What is going on?? Our camera crew and Omar's producer also now being arrested.
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) May 29, 2020
CNN tried to make it about race, comparing how another CNN reported was treated much differently, potentially fanning even more flames:
Another CNN reporter was ‘treated much differently‘
CNN’s Josh Campell, who also was in the area but not standing with the on-air crew, said he, too, was approached by police, but was allowed to remain.”I identified myself … they said, ‘OK, you’re permitted to be in the area,'” recounted Campbell, who is white. “I was treated much differently than (Jimenez) was.”Jimenez is black and Latino.
As the nation reels from riots, Coronavirus, and other national issues, it’s certainly something to be seen and there will be opinions of this situation from both angles coming from both sides. It will be interesting to see the police and national guards can calm the storm of rioters going forward to prevent more confusion like this and to keep Americans and businesses that have not yet been affected by the angry mob safe. The reasons behind why George Floyd was tragically killed seem murky, and hopefully an investigation can get to the bottom of it and shed some light so people can rebuild their lives.
