Kevin Hart and Kathy Burke lead support for reporter Omar Jimenez after arrest

by

Kevin Hart and Kathy Burke are some of the stars sharing support for Omar Jimnez after he was arrested live on air.

Jimnez, a black CNN reporter, was covering the riots following the death of George Floyd, a black unarmed and handcuffed man who was killed by police, with footage showing an officer kneeling on his neck.

Footage from Jimnez’s arrest shows him being handcuffed by two officers as he reports live from the scene. Two members of the production team were also detained.

Jimenez could be seen holding his CNN badge while reporting, identifying himself as a reporter and telling the officers the crew would move wherever they needed them to.

CNN’s Josh Campell, who was in the area but not standing with the on-air crew, said he was also approached by police but was allowed to remain where he was.

Campell, who is white, said: ‘I identified myself … they said, “OK, you’re permitted to be in the area.” I was treated much differently than (Jimenez) was.’

Jimenez has since been released from custody – and has posted a photo of himself continuing to cover the riots, simply captioning it: ‘And we’re back.’

The public has been left outraged by the arrest, with celebrities speaking out for the reporter.

Kevin Hart asked on Twitter how a reporter can be arrested, but not the officer involved in Floyd’s killing.

He added: ‘HOW IS THIS EVEN F***ING POSSIBLE???? His ass should be In JAIL NOOOOOOW. This is f***ing ridiculous.’