OVER ONE hundred British journalists from BAME backgrounds have condemned the arrest of CNN correspondent Omar Jimenez.

Jimenez was confronted by police as he gave a live report from protests in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd.

His CNN press badge was visible and he identified himself as a reporter, assuring officers his crew would move to whatever location the police wanted.

However  Jimenez, producer Bill Kirkos and photojournalist Leonel Mendez were arrested and taken away.

Police told the team they were being detained as they were not abiding by orders to move.

In the open letter to the US Ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson, the British journalists said they stood in solidarity of Mr Jimenez and “all journalists of colour reporting on racism in the US”.

Among those who signed the letter, were Gary Younge, BBC’s Clive Myrie and Samira Ahmed, and Channel 4’s Ayshah Tull and Krishnan Guru-Murphy.

Together they called for an immediate suspension of the police officers involved in the arrest, and an inquiry not only into the incident but into “the treatment of all black journalists and journalists of colour by American authorities”.

The journalists – who hail from a range of broadcasters and news outlets – argued the arrest of the CNN team set a worrying precedent for the treatment of journalists worldwide, especially those from BAME backgrounds.

They wrote: “We unreservedly condemn the arrest of African-American correspondent Omar Jimenez and his fellow crew members, including producer Bill Kirkos and photojournalist Leonel Mendez, reporting for CNN on the unrest in Minneapolis following the brutal death of  African-American George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis.

Intervention

“While Jimenez and his team were released following the intervention of the president of CNN and Governor Tim Walz, we note that CNN’s white reporter Josh Campbell, who was working close by with his team, was not arrested. We do not believe this is a coincidence or that the difference in race between the two reporters was incidental.

“It is crucial that journalists be able to conduct their work without fear of arrest or harassment by officials.”

They added: “It is important that this applies to all journalists irrespective of their race, gender or religion in order for the journalism that is produced to truly reflect the US’s rich diversity. 

“We seek reassurance from you, in your position as Ambassador, that British journalists will be able to work in the US without fear of arrest and that you will do everything in your power to ensure that this potential international precedent is not set.”

It called for “an immediate inquiry, not only into the arrest of Omar Jimenez but also into the treatment of all black journalists and journalists of colour by American authorities”.

The letter was also signed by: 

Aaqil Ahmed

Aaron Akinyemi

Ade Adepitan

Adrian Lester

Afua Adom

Afua Hirsch

Aina J Khan

Alex Murray

Amy Hall

Angela Ferreira

Anisa Subedar

Antoine Allen

Ashley John-Baptiste

Ayo Akinwolere

Barnie Choudhury

Biz Pears

Catherine Byaruhanga

Charlene Chan-Popo 

Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff

Claire Rutter

Daniel Henry

Danny Vincent

David Olusoga

Derek Bardowell

Dhruti Shah

Diane Evans

Dr David Dunkley Gyimah

Egon Cossou

Elaine Dunkley

Emma Ko

Eno Adeogun

Faisal A. Qureshi

Farhana Haider

Genelle Aldred

Gillian Joseph

Girish Desai 

Greg McKenzie

Henry Bonsu

Hewete Haileselassie

Hila May

Hugh Muir

Hugh Woozencroft

Husna Rizvi

Jamsheda Young

Jatinder Dhillion

Jessica Phillips

Joanna Hall

Joice Etutu

Jones Awuah

Jordan Jarrett Bryan

Joseph Izzard

Juliana Olayinka

K. Biswas

Karen Gabay

Keme Nzerem

Kiri Kankhwende

Kuba Shand-Baptiste

Kurt Barling

Lee Jasper

Lenny Henry

Liliane Landor

Liliane Landor

Liv Little

Lola Okolosie

Lynda Smith

Maaiysa Valli

Marc Wadsworth

Marcia Mascoll

Marcus Ryder

Marverine Duffy

Marvyn Harrison

Matt Kay

Maxine Watson

Michelle Matherson

Misan Harriman

Mohamed Madi

Mugabi Turya

Nadine White

Natalie Rose

Nels Abbey

Nike Jonah

Nike Komolafe

Nora Fakim 

Omega Douglas

Oruj Defoite

Pat Younge

Priscilla Nwikpo

Ramzan Karmali

Rebecca Omonira-

Oyekanmi

Rene Bissohong

Reya El-Salahi

Ria Hebden

Rianna Croxford

Rodney Hinds

Rowena Twesigye

Saadeya Shamsuddin

Saidata Sesay

Sangeeta Kandola

Scarlette Douglas

Sean Fletcher

Seren Jones

Serena Barker-Singh

Shaista Aziz

Shamaaan Feeman-Powell

Sharmaine Lovegrove

Shoku Amirani

Shola Mos-Shogbamimu

Simone Pennant

Sola Renner

Soraya Auer

Suhail Patel

Swarzy Macaly

Symeon Brown

Talah Kaddourah

Tali Ramsey

Tamala Caesar

Tarah Welsh

Thamsanqa Zhou

Tokunbo Salako

Tola Mbakwe

Toyin Amusan

Venuste Nshimiyimana

Warren Nettleford

Zing Tsjeng

And these organisations: 

BECTU Black Member’s Subcommittee

 National Union of Journalists’ Black Members Council

British East Asians in Screen & Theatre TV Collective

The Race Beat

EMPower –  ITN’s staff group of BAME journalists and technicians