AFT President Condemns Arrest of Journalists in Minnesota

WASHINGTON—In light of recent events in Minnesota, AFT President Randi Weingarten expressed her concerns following the arrest of journalists who were covering the unfolding situation.

“This is a red line," Weingarten stated.

Journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were engaged in their professional duties, documenting the facts on the ground in Minnesota.

Weingarten emphasized the critical role of a free press, stating, “The right of a free press to report on events accurately, without fear or favor, is fundamental to a free society.”

She further remarked that these arrests contradict the Constitution, which serves as the cornerstone of the nation’s democratic values. In her view, "All Americans, regardless of their ideology, should be alarmed by this administration’s war on the truth and its abuse of power.”

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The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) encompasses a diverse group of 1.8 million members, including pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals, and other school-related personnel. It also represents higher education faculty and professional staff, government employees at federal, state, and local levels, as well as nurses, healthcare workers, and early childhood educators.