An open letter in solidarity with Don Lemon and Georgia Fort
By Black British journalists and activists
We write as Black British broadcasters and journalists in solidarity with Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, who were arrested while carrying out their professional duties as members of the press.
We recognise this moment for what it is: Black journalists being criminalised for doing our jobs.
When Black reporters are arrested for bearing witness, documenting protest, and telling the truth, it is not an isolated incident - it is an attack on press freedom that disproportionately targets us.
An attack on them is an attack on all Black journalists, wherever we work.
Too often, Black journalists are singled out, over-policed, and obstructed from reporting - particularly when covering state power, protest, racism, or injustice.
Our credibility is questioned, our presence challenged, our rights treated as conditional, and our employment status is often precarious.
This pattern is familiar on both sides of the Atlantic.
The arrest of Don Lemon - a journalist with three decades of experience - and Georgia Fort, Vice President of the National Association of Black Journalists’ Minnesota chapter, sends a chilling message.
It suggests that Black journalists can be punished simply for showing up, filming, and doing the work that democracy depends on. That is unacceptable.
Though both Lemon and Fort were released from custody without bail on Friday 30 January, investigations into the pair remain ongoing.
We stand with our colleagues in the United States and call on both the US and UK governments to uphold their commitments to press freedom, and the fundamental right of journalists to report without fear of arrest, intimidation, or retaliation.
These protections must apply to all journalists - not only when it is comfortable or convenient.
Silencing Black journalists has always been an effective way to silence Black truths. We refuse that silence.
Signed,
Marcus Ryder, writer, broadcaster, charity CEO
Lenny Henry, comedian, actor, author
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, author and activist
Afua Hirsch, broadcaster, author, professor of journalism
Afua Hagan, journalist and broadcaster
Scarlette Douglas, presenter and TV Host
Warren Haughton, media consultant
Nels Abbey, writer & broadcaster
Jayson Mansaray, broadcast journalist & producer
Isha Sesay, journalist & CEO of Okayplayer & OkayAfrica
Marvyn Harrison, broadcaster and founder of Dope Black Dads
Keme Nzerem, broadcaster and journalist
Misan Harriman
Maxine Watson, executive producer
Patrick Younge, journalist and executive producer
Jonte Richardson, executive producer
Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, actor
Adrian Lester CBE, actor
Donu Kogbara
Katie Mark, deputy editor
Annika Allen, journalist & co-founder
Gary Younge, professor and writer
Sinai Fleary, journalist, broadcaster & founder
Dee Kahlon, talent executive
Colin Grant, author
Carys Afoko, communications strategist, writer and host of the Over the Top, Under the Radar podcast
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