Arrests of Journalists Fuel Backlash as Anti-ICE Protests Spread From Minneapolis
As anti-ICE protests spread beyond Minneapolis, the arrests of journalists raise questions about press freedom, public protest, and civil rights.
Note: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
The Justice Department said today it has opened a civil rights investigation into the shooting death of Alex Pretti, the ICU nurse who was killed in Minneapolis last weekend. That news came shortly after there were more arrests in Minnesota over a protest, and as the national backlash against the immigration crackdown grows.
View the transcript of the story.
Warm-Up Questions
- Where are the Twin Cities? Where else did protests take place last week?
- Who were the four people arrested in connection with a Jan. 18 protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota?
- What incident has the Justice Department opened an investigation into?
- Why are the three children featured in this story being detained by ICE?
- How will the four people's arrests affect future protests, according to this report?
Essential Questions
- How might arresting journalists affect the public's right to protest?
- What do you think the government needs to do to address the concerns of the protestors?
- How could you find out more about the First Amendment, including where people can protest?
- What protections does the First Amendment provide for religious practice, and from whom?
- How could you find out more about the rights journalists have in covering protests without fear of arrest?
Media literacy: Journalist Don Lemon said, "So this is what the First Amendment is about, about the freedom to protest," while he was filming the protest at the church. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the four were arrested because they violated people's ability to worship "freely and safely."
What Students Can Do
by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while returning to his Minneapolis home from school with his father. Castro also discusses the conditions inside the ICE detention center in Dilley, Texas, and said the children there are “despondent and depressed.”
- Discuss with a friend, neighbor or family member any questions you have following this interview. Were you surprised by any of the information you heard? Explain. What concerns did you hear raised by Castro that you think should be addressed?
Take a look this map of immigrant detention centers from the organization Freedom for Immigrants or ICE's detention center page. Where is the detention center nearest you? Conduct some online research to see what, if any, news stories have come out about the ICE facilities near you.
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Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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