CNN reporter arrested on air at Minneapolis protests

A CNN reporter and camera crew have been released after they were arrested on live television this morning while he was covering protests in Minneapolis.

A third night of racially charged arson, looting and vandalism has gripped the city, following the death of an unarmed black man when a white police officer knelt on his neck as he lay on the ground after being arrested.

Protests have erupted following the death of 46-year-old George Floyd. The four police officers involved in his arrest have been dismissed.

Early this morning, CNN reporter Omar Jimenez was arrested live on air while covering the protests. He and his camera crew were led away in handcuffs.

Mr Jimenez had shown a protester being arrested when a number of police officers surrounded him.

"We can move back to where you like", he told the officers, who were wearing gas masks and face shields.

Mr Jimenez explained that he and his crew were members of the press and said: "We're getting out of your way". He was then handcuffed and led away.

CNN has since tweeted to say Mr Jimenez and the camera crew have been released from custody.

Speaking on air, Mr Jimenez said there was "a moment" just after it happened where "things started to sink in".

He said the one thing that gave him "a little bit of comfort" was that it happened on live television.

"That speaks to the power of having something happen on camera, because you can have people speak up for you", he said. "The country was seeing what was happening unfold in real time".

CNN anchor John Berman told viewers about an hour after the arrest that CNN President Adam Zucker spoke with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who said he "deeply apologises" and would try to have the crew released immediately.

"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", CNN wrote on Twitter.

Governor Walz had declared a state emergency and ordered the National Guard activated, while President Donald Trump suggested in a tweet that looters would be shot.

Twitter has hidden one of Mr Trump's tweets, accusing him of breaking its rules by "glorifying violence".

Additional reporting: Reuters