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Don Lemon Enters Not Guilty Plea in Connection with Minnesota Church Demonstration

A former CNN host and eight other individuals face charges related to the disruption of a church service, which was allegedly staged as a protest against immigration raids in the state.

Don Lemon, a former host at CNN, has entered a plea of not guilty in connection with his reporting on a recent protest at a church in Minnesota, where federal immigration raids had taken place.

Don Lemon in sunglasses and a navy coat arrives in court, with a handful of media and security around him — Lemon did not speak to reporters as he walked into court on Friday

The 59-year-old journalist faces charges of conspiracy to deprive rights and interfering with religious freedoms, specifically for allegedly using force to obstruct someone's First Amendment rights.

Lemon's arrest stemmed from an incident on January 18, when he accompanied protesters into the Cities Church in St Paul, where they claimed one of the church's pastors was involved in immigration enforcement.

During the protest, Lemon livestreamed the events, which ultimately led to charges being filed against him and eight other individuals.

On Friday, Lemon appeared in a St Paul, Minnesota courtroom, where approximately two dozen protesters had gathered to show their support, chanting slogans that included a call for the removal of Attorney General Pam Bondi.

In addition to Lemon, four co-defendants also pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

Lemon has maintained that his actions were justified, stating that as an independent journalist, he was simply fulfilling his duty to cover the protest.

Following his arrest, Lemon affirmed his commitment to continuing his work as a journalist, saying, "I have dedicated my career to covering the news, and I will not stop now."

During the hearing on Friday, one of Lemon's attorneys, Abbe Lowell, raised concerns with the judge regarding the seizure of Lemon's cellphone by investigators during his arrest in Los Angeles last month.

Lemon, along with eight other co-defendants, including another journalist, has been charged with conspiracy against religious freedom and interfering with the exercise of religious freedom at a place of worship.

The January 18 incident involved protesters interrupting a church service, chanting slogans such as "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good," who was fatally shot by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis.

Video footage captured the chaotic scene inside the church, which is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, as protesters and congregation members engaged in a heated exchange.

In a separate incident two weeks later, federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, in Minneapolis, marking the second protest-related death in the city, after Renee Good.

In response to Lemon's arrest, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted a statement on social media, saying that the Trump administration would not tolerate intimidation or harassment of Christians in their places of worship.

Lemon, a longtime critic of the Trump administration, was previously fired from CNN in April 2023, after 17 years with the network, following controversy over on-air comments he made about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley.

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Wardley Retains Title Against Dubois in UK Showdown

On May 9, Fabio Wardley is set to put his world heavyweight title on the line for the first time, facing off against fellow Briton Daniel Dubois in Manchester.

With a combined total of 40 knockout victories, Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois are set to face off in a highly anticipated matchup, bringing their formidable punching power to the ring.

On Saturday, 9 May, Manchester will play host to an all-British showdown as Fabio Wardley makes his inaugural title defence against Daniel Dubois, marking a significant moment in the world of heavyweight boxing.

Wardley's reign as WBO champion began in November after Oleksandr Usyk opted to relinquish the title rather than face the Ipswich native in a mandatory defence, paving the way for Wardley to claim the championship at the age of 31.

As a former IBF titleholder, Daniel Dubois is no stranger to the upper echelons of the sport, and his upcoming bout against Wardley at the Co-Op Live Arena promises to be an explosive encounter between two fighters known for their ability to deliver devastating blows.

With a professional record of 21 fights and 20 wins, including 19 knockouts, Wardley has asserted his commitment to competing in high-stakes matchups, stating, "I've never been in this game to play around, I'm committed to big fights only."

Wardley emphasized his willingness to take on challenging opponents, saying, "I'm the champion, this is a voluntary defence, and I chose this – I've never shied away from a challenge."

The champion expressed confidence in his abilities, saying, "I've always gone looking for the biggest tests, and I'd back myself against anyone in this division."

Wardley believes the upcoming fight against Dubois is one of the most significant in the heavyweight division, noting, "This is one of the biggest fights that can be made right now, and the best part is, it doesn't need any extra hype – this fight sells itself."

Daniel Dubois, 28, has a notable record, having stopped Anthony Joshua in September 2024, although his IBF title reign was ultimately ended by Oleksandr Usyk in July 2025, marking his second defeat at the hands of the Ukrainian boxer.

According to promoter Frank Warren, the Wardley-Dubois matchup represents "another piece of British heavyweight history being made", highlighting the significance of this all-British encounter.

Warren praised the decision to stage this fight, saying, "This is the most exciting and explosive fight available for Fabio's first title defence, and it's a testament to his character that he demanded this matchup."

Warren also commended Dubois, saying, "For Daniel to be attempting to become a two-time world champion at just 28 is remarkable – this will be his sixth world title fight, and only Oleksandr Usyk has been able to defeat him in that run."

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