Founder, CEO and The Don Lemon Show host Don Lemon takes part in the panel 'Future of news: How creators and influencers are reshaping journalism', at the Reuters NEXT conference, in New York City, New York, U.S., December 3, 2025. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
(Minneapolis, Minnesota) – Former CNN anchor Don Lemon is facing a civil lawsuit stemming from his involvement in a January protest inside a Minneapolis church, where a congregant claims the demonstration caused her “severe emotional distress.”
The suit, filed Monday by churchgoer Ann Doucette, alleges that a Jan. 18 protest during a church service unlawfully interfered with her right to freely practice her religion. Doucette claims the disruption left her with “severe emotional distress, fear, anxiety and trauma.”
Protest Inside Worship Service
Lemon documented and livestreamed the so-called “ICE Out” protest, which took place during a service led by Pastor David Easterwood, who protesters alleged had ties to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The demonstration followed the fatal shooting of Renee Good, an incident that had sparked local outrage.
According to the complaint, Doucette argues Lemon did more than observe the protest as a journalist. The lawsuit claims he “appeared to take satisfaction in the disruption,” citing social media posts from one protester who allegedly said they assisted Lemon with “logistics and local contacts in support of the operation.”
Criminal Charges Filed
Lemon was arrested on Jan. 30 and charged with one count of conspiracy against the right of religious freedom at a place of worship and one count of interfering with the exercise of religious freedom.
He has pleaded not guilty and has publicly maintained that he was acting within his First Amendment rights as a member of the press.
In addition to Lemon, the lawsuit names several activists as defendants, including Nekima Armstrong, Chauntyll Allen, William Kelly, Jamael Lundy, Trahern Crews, Georgia Fort and Jerome Richardson.
