CNN reporter, crew freed after being arrested while covering George Floyd protests

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A CNN reporter and his crew have been released from custody after being arrested on-air Friday morning while covering the ongoing protests in Minneapolis over the police-involved killing of George Floyd.

Omar Jimenez and his team were taken into custody around 5:10 a.m. local time while standing in the street outside a liquor store that had been set ablaze in the demonstrations. An hour and a half later, the network reported their release.

“A CNN reporter & his production team were arrested this morning in Minneapolis for doing their jobs, despite identifying themselves -- a clear violation of their First Amendment rights,” the network said in a statement earlier. “The authorities in Minnesota, including the Governor, must release the 3 CNN employees immediately.”