Tiny News Collective stands in full solidarity with Georgia Fort, a TNC alumna, independent journalist and community leader in Minnesota, who was arrested following Fort’s coverage of a protest at a church in St. Paul on Jan. 18. National journalist Don Lemon was also arrested.
The basis of her arrest was that she violated a federal law against interfering with a church ceremony. Several protesters have also been arrested.
Georgia posted a video on Facebook early on Jan. 30 before surrendering to federal agents — who arrived at her home with a warrant reportedly obtained through a grand jury. She described the arrest as a violation of her First Amendment rights as a member of the press.
“This is all stemming from the fact that I filmed a protest as a member of the media. We are supposed to have our constitutional right, freedom to film, to be a member of the press. I do not feel like I have my First Amendment right as a member of the press because now federal agents are at my door, arresting me for filming the church protest a few weeks ago,” Georgia said in the video.
Georgia is a longtime local journalist in Minnesota and is the co-founder of Center for Broadcast Journalism and founder of BLCK Media. She is known for her award-winning community-serving journalism and her commitment to mentoring young journalists and helping them find pathways into journalism careers.
A friend of Georgia’s, Rod Adams, shared about Georgia’s dedication to her community at a press conference in Minneapolis that aired on KARE11: “[At the time of] George Floyd and also in this moment with the ICE occupation, thousands of media outlets descend upon Minneapolis, but before and in between those times, who told our stories? Georgia.
“Who told the stories that no one else wanted to tell about Black people? Georgia."
This moment represents more than the criminalization of two journalists’ work — it reflects an urgent, broader pattern of escalating threats against the press. It is especially concerning for members of our community: those working independently in small, community-rooted newsrooms. These journalists, who often serve communities historically excluded from mainstream media coverage, frequently lack the legal and institutional protections afforded to larger outlets. Yet they remain on the front lines, documenting the realities that matter most.
The work of independent journalists like Georgia is vital to our democracy, and their safety and freedom to report must be non-negotiable. TNC is committed to standing with our members and partners as they navigate this moment with intention, caution and solidarity. We will continue advocating for the rights, safety and recognition of all journalists and especially those doing critical work in vulnerable conditions.
For more, please see this statement from the National Association of Black Journalists, to which TNC is a signatory. If you’d like to support Georgia, you can make a donation here.
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