In America, we no longer are in “business as usual”

Action Guide
Written By Kathy Lass

“I will not be silenced.”
~Don Lemon

Arresting journalists is the tactic, further diminishing freedoms and destroying democracy is the Trump Regime’s goal.
The arrests of Don Lemon and others on January 18, 2026 for covering a church protest as journalists is, as rightly noted by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and many others, prohibited by our Constitution. It is also an intentional and clear message from this Trump Regime to journalists-at-large: Do not challenge our power, our authority, our propaganda, our mission—or we will come after you! That they came for a Black journalist is also a clear message that should not be ignored.

During the Civil Rights movement, segregationists quickly became aware of the power of television–the device newly entering into American society. They understood their sins of violence against an oppressed people would be exposed and they were by no means willing to permit such exposure. According to the National Endowment of the Humanities, “...By 1956, segregationists had embarked on a massive campaign…enacting violence against civil rights activists, and attacking the press, to halt its coverage of the Civil Rights Movement. Reporters who covered civil rights protests were beaten and assaulted, and journalists’ cameras were smashed. Libel suits became another weapon in this war on the press…“

Today, it is not business as usual
This regime does not care what is shown on our TV screens. They revel in having their sins displayed before the public. They celebrate their conquests. They are priming the American people towards a new rulership, the likes of which we have not seen before. In order to succeed, they need to strongarm the populace into submission. Who helps with this effort? Corrupt corporate media.

In his post-arrest interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Lemon said “corporate media has been neutered right now; they are afraid…”  “..right now we don’t need the gatekeepers, we don’t need the people saying be careful what you say, cause we need access to the President…”  Why? For profit. For fear of being sued? Protesters are putting their lives on the line to save us from this fascist takeover. We need the media to step up and join us! Because believe us, the media takedown and takeover by Orban in Hungary can happen here in America.

We are well aware of Trump’s need for media attention. It is this powerful tool that propelled him into fame and into the White House. And we have seen time and time again, his puppeteering and manipulation of the media aimed directly towards the American people. Until Minneapolis, during his previous Presidency, there was no need for gunfire, back then, the media was the weaponry: very effective at instilling division and corrupting the minds of the populace. Yes, he really, really, needs the media to feed his gigantic ego and to reach his goal of supreme leader.

It is by them instilling fear that they can succeed. It is by us resisting with courage that they will fail.
We need the media to elevate stories both of the government’s actions that threaten our sacred First Amendment rights, and of the bravery of protesters in Minneapolis and Portland and every other city that ICE tries to terrorize. And we agree with the subtitle from this report by The Nation: “The brave protesters in Minneapolis are doing everything that Democrats and even the law have failed to do.”


However, we would add what the media has failed to do too:  we need stories spotlighting why it matters! Enough of pushing out stories for their sensationalist value. Highlight the stories of ICE victims and elevate stories of resistance heroes throughout the nation! The media is failing us–again. They have provided inadequate coverage of Don Lemon’s arrest. One would think since this hits all of them, they would respond with vigor—but they have responded with cowardice. Stories such as Lemon’s should not be diminished nor silenced. Instead, we need to silence Trump as best we can instead. We call for a boycott of covering Trump’s ravings and demands for a good week, even more if possible.

The mantle of struggle from the first Civil Rights era being passed into this current era, into the hands of Lemon and others. It is in our hands as well. We accept it with gratitude and courage.

Here is what we need you to do:
We need local, national media, and international media to help silence Trump. PERIOD! Contact as many of these organizations below and tell them to stop giving a platform to him for Trump’s lies and propaganda. Don’t elevate every single damn word coming out of his mouth—especially when you know the facts speak to the contrary. Below are some resources for you. Please share the info below far and wide! And for your outreach efforts on social media, use these hashtags: #MediaStepUp #MediaBoycottTrump.

Begin by contacting these major legacy media outlets in particular, calling them out including writing letters to the editors. Shame on them!

Then move onto to local media outlets:

Encourage these outlets to continue shining a spotlight on Trump’s crimes and uplifting the stories of those who matter.
California media directories
From the Media and Democracy Project, who are absolutely worthy of your donation dollars, is a list of California media outlets. We recommend you reach out to outlets near you and include those who cater to Spanish-speaking populations. This directory includes our own San Francisco Standard, Mission Local, 48Hills, and more.
https://www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org/journalism-directory-list/california

From EinPressWire this is their California Media Directory, which includes our local SF GATE, SFist, and a number of other local news sources.
https://www.einpresswire.com/world-media-directory/4/california
For those outside of California
Since this is a national disgrace, use the Media and Democracy Project link below to select states outside of California. Be sure to share resources with folks outside of California. 

From Media and Democracy project
https://www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org/journalism-directory
(Scroll to the bottom of the page to find their map which will provide database listings by state.)

From EinPressWire there is this database for outlets outside of California.
https://www.einpresswire.com/world-media-directory/

Lastly, do include reaching out to International news agencies
We are being strategic by wanting you to reach out to foreign media outlets because of the global impact of the Trump regime.
BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news
Follow these instructions showing how to contribute to BBC News or send letters to:
BBC Comments
PO Box 1922
Darlington
DL3 0UR
United Kingdom
Tag or share comment to their social media accounts: on IG, YouTube, TikTok, or on X using either @BBCWorld, @BBCNewsPR, @BBCNorthAmerica,
on Facebook refer to BBC News, BBC World Service.

The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/us
You can go to their Facebook, YouTube, or IG accounts to tag and/or make comments. Here they have a guide in “How to Contact the Guardian Securely”.
Mailing addresses:
US Office
The Guardian
61 Broadway
New York, NY 10006

British Office
The Guardian,
Kings Place
90 York Way
London, N1 9GU
United Kingdom

Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com
There is more than one way to bring info to their attention. For submissions under 400 words, send to yourstory@aljazeera.net. Include your name and location. For more in-depth stories, their team will consider a “...story gives a ‘voice to the voiceless’? If it does, that’s a good start. Does it question dominant, mainstream narratives? That’s also important...”  Additionally, review their instruction. Email to pitches@aljazeera.net.  Tag them on their social media accounts:  FB, X and IG..

France 24: https://www.france24.com/en/
They have a form to submit info here.
They have several online options available: Facebook, X, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Telegram, SoundCloud

Euronews: https://www.euronews.com
Here is the link for their contact form. Find them on X, Facebook, YouTube, IG,

Deutsche Welle:https://www.dw.com/en/top-stories/s-9097
Use this link to fill out their form.
And try to get their attention on their social media:Facebook, YouTube, IG, TikTok, X,

Relevant Resources:

Feds arrest Don Lemon, Minnesota journalist and 2 others over church protest
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c24gm3dz36po
NABJ outraged at arrests of Don Lemon, Georgia Fort “The First Amendment is not optional”
https://nabjonline.org/blog/nabjoutrageddonlemonarrest/

How the Civil Rights Movement Rewrote Freedom of the Press
https://www.neh.gov/article/how-civil-rights-movement-rewrote-freedom-press#:~:text=Reporters%20who%20covered%20civil%20rights,this%20war%20on%20the%20press
Jimmy Kimmel Interviews Don Lemon for the First Time Post-Arrest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW0UKsrxjyA&t=1s
Hostile takeover: How Orbán is subjugating the media in Hungary
https://www.boell.de/en/2017/08/22/hostile-takeover-how-orban-subjugating-media-hungary
The People Are Winning the Battle Against ICE
https://www.thenation.com/article/activism/people-winning-against-ice-minneapolis/
Dereliction of Duty: New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal editors continue to trivialize assaults on the First Amendment
https://mediaanddemocracyproject.substack.com/p/dereliction-of-duty-new-york-times?triedRedirect=true

Is America being propelled into a Civil Rights 2.0 era?
https://indivisiblesf.org/blog/2026/1/27/is-america-being-propelled-into-a-civil-rights-20-era

Journalism, Civil Rights and Politics
https://hsjmc.umn.edu/news/2018-01-08-journalism-civil-rights-and-politics


Miscellaneous Resource:
FACE Act Don Lemon Charged with Violating May Be Unconstitutional
https://www.cato.org/blog/face-act-don-lemon-charged-violating-may-be-unconstitutional

Kathy Lass
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