NO CHARGES Against Lemon or Other Black Journalists: Black CA Legislators Speak Against Climate of Hostility, Issue New Demands

SACRAMENTO, Calif. --- (February 3, 2026) - Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D- Carson) led a press conference to demand the dropping of charges against Black American independent journalist Don Lemon, a victim from the national news media being persecuted by President Donald Trump's Administration.

"The dictatorship out of this White House disgusts me and disgusts legislators from our communities with whom I serve," said Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson). "I couldn't be more pissed by this anti-Blackness and these ugly threats to our freedom, all increasing by the day. America is in a dark place - from the racist attack campaign against my CLBC colleague Assemblywoman Lori Wilson for simply being a Black woman legislator, to the outrageous arrest of press correspondents like Don and Georgia Fort. We say with loud fury: Trumped-up charges, xenophobic attacks on our people, and zones of terror in our cities controlled by ICE will never be normal, and we call it out."

Gipson, a six-term Assemblymember and part of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), was joined in his demands by fellow elected officials in front of the California State Capitol:

• Neville Boston, Board member of California Black Media
• Assemblymember Cory Jackson (D-Moreno Valley)
• Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood)
• Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles)
• Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland)

Citing extensive examples of the mounting attacks on Black leaders, speakers at the event took note of the online and public attempts to direct abuse at Asm. Wilson since January 2026.

"Justice, justice we must pursue-that has always been our calling," said Gipson. "That is why the colleagues with me today and I cannot be silent until political vendettas like the attacks on Don

Lemon and Georgia Fort are ended, why we continue to speak up for the voiceless, and why we will not be intimidated into silence."

Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson proudly represents the 65th Assembly District which includes the cities and communities of Watts, Willowbrook, Compton, Carson, North Long Beach, Harbor Gateway North & South, Harbor City, Wilmington, and San Pedro.

CONTACT: Andrew Aldama, [email protected], (916) 319-2065