Floyd protests: Minneapolis police arrest CNN crew live on air

The Minneapolis mayor apologises for the arrest and the crew is later released, but questions remain.

Police in Minneapolis released a Black CNN reporter who was led off in handcuffs along with his film crew while reporting live on television early on Friday morning during violent protests in the city.

Officers gave no explanation as they escorted reporter Omar Jimenez away. He had just shown a protester being arrested when about half a dozen police officers in gas masks surrounded him. More than an hour later, the crew was released.

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"What gave me one bit of comfort was that it happened on live TV," Jimenez told viewers after he was released. "You don't have to doubt my story - it's not filtered in any way; you saw it with your own eyes."

Thursday marked a third night of demonstrations in the Minnesota city over the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, seen on video gasping for breath while a white police officer knelt on his neck.

The protests have featured the burning of a police precinct and businesses. 

The striking footage of Jimenez's arrest could add to racial tension in the city and across the country. 

"A CNN reporter and 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 authorities in Minnesota, including the governor, must release the three CNN  employees immediately," CNN wrote on Twitter before the crew were released.

CNN anchor John Berman told viewers about an hour after the arrest that CNN President Jeff Zucker had spoken with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who said he "deeply apologises" and was working to have the crew released immediately.