Support the Dismissal of Charges Against Georgia Fort and Jerome Richardson (see linked letters below)
We urge your immediate review, signature, and broad circulation of two letters calling for the dismissal of charges against Georgia Fort and Jerome Richardson. Both were arrested and prosecuted while covering and facilitating media access to a peaceful anti-ICE protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota—an event that made national headlines and was covered by Don Lemon, who is also facing charges. The protest responded to federal immigration enforcement actions and focused on the church pastor’s dual role as a local ICE official, raising serious concerns about public accountability and conflict.
Two separate letters are necessary – although both are media related, their roles were distinct and must be individually defended. They are:
The support letter calling for dismissal of charges against Georgia Fort
The support letter calling for dismissal of charges against Jerome Richardson
Georgia Fort was present in her capacity as a journalist and media producer, researching, documenting, and producing coverage of a matter of clear public concern.
Jerome Richardson served as a research analyst assisting a journalist. He provided background research, contextual analysis, historical and policy framing, to ensure accurate and responsible reporting. Research analysts perform a critical, constitutionally protected newsgathering function.
Because these are legal proceedings, each case must be addressed on its own factual record. Their professional functions differ in scope and execution and require tailored legal defenses. Both direct reporting and research support are protected under established First Amendment safeguards for press freedom and newsgathering.
We ask that you:
1. Sign both letters of support.
2. Share the signature links with your social media and professional networks.
3. Publish the letters in newsletters or on websites (you can collect signatures yourself or share links to our letters) to help us gather more support.
Note: If you have questions (or have collected signatures in person), please email us at: action@IdaBWellsMediaDefense.org
We will continue to handle the collection and the eventual forwarding of the “critical mass” of signatures to law enforcement. We can keep the action@ email and form active on our contact page for general inquiries.
A broad and visible outpouring of support is essential—not only for Georgia Fort and Jerome Richardson, but for the defense of constitutionally protected press activity and the public’s right to know. We urge you to act promptly and help build unified public demand that these charges be dismissed in full.
In solidarity,
Ida B. Wells Media Defense Network
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