The defendants are accused of conspiring to deprive church congregants of their rights and interfering with religious freedom inside a house of worship, reviving a case that was rejected last week by a magistrate judge.
The indictment names nine defendants, including seven protesters, Lemon, and another journalist. Seven of those charged have appeared in court so far, and four were released Friday.
Defense attorneys pushed back on First Amendment grounds, arguing the case centers on political protest and newsgathering. Lemon and the other journalist charged, Georgia Fort, have said they entered the church to cover a demonstration opposing the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Continue reading…