Media: https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTcyYTQ4YTRmcDZrY3hrOW1vNm9jdG11aTc2M2dsNDZ5MG8yM2hjdWw0bDJ0Zmx2YiZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/xTiTnETzih3HYCaw2Q/giphy.gifTitle: The Detention of Journalist Mario Guevara: A Chilling Effect on Press Freedoms?
The detainment of independent digital journalist Mario Guevara by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after being arrested while covering a protest in Atlanta has sparked outrage among freedom of the press and civil rights groups. They argue that his detention could have a chilling effect on press freedoms, particularly for noncitizen journalists like Guevara who are at risk of facing similar treatment.
Guevara was arrested on June 14 while livestreaming a “No Kings” protest against President Trump’s immigration policies in the Embry Hills neighborhood near Atlanta. He was charged with three misdemeanors: improperly entering a roadway, obstruction of law enforcement officers, and unlawful assembly. However, his bail proceedings were halted, and on June 18, he was turned over to ICE, which placed a detainer on him and put him in a detention center.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the misdemeanor charges against Guevara had not been reviewed or investigated by the DeKalb County Solicitor General’s Office when ICE took him into custody, denying him an opportunity to defend himself and assert his First Amendment rights. Furthermore, after being detained by ICE, additional misdemeanor charges were filed against Guevara related to a separate incident more than a month before, while he was livestreaming activity by an immigration official while driving.
This case raises serious concerns about the potential implications for press freedom and the safety of journalists in the United States. The detention of Mario Guevara sends a clear message that even those reporting on protests can face severe consequences if they are not citizens or have pending applications for legal permanent residency. This could lead to self-censorship among noncitizen journalists who fear similar treatment, ultimately undermining the very principles of freedom of speech and press that our country was founded upon.
In light of these developments, it is crucial for advocacy groups, civil rights organizations, and concerned citizens alike to rally behind Mario Guevara and other journalists facing similar challenges. We must demand transparency from law enforcement agencies and hold them accountable when they infringe upon the constitutional rights of individuals exercising their First Amendment freedoms.
The detention of journalist Mario Guevara is a stark reminder that press freedom is under threat in America today. It is our responsibility to ensure that this incident serves as a wake-up call for all those who value democracy and the free exchange of ideas, both within our borders and beyond them.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/immigration-journalist-faces-deportation-mario-guevara-rcna215032) #backlash
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