Felony charges dropped against 2 Ohio journalists arrested during immigration protest

Source: Associated Press

Felony charges dropped against 2 Ohio journalists arrested during immigration protest

By JULIE CARR SMYTH
Updated 4:36 PM EDT, July 23, 2025

Prosecutors dropped felony charges Wednesday against two journalists arrested at a protest that originated in Cincinnati over the detention of an Egyptian man by immigration authorities.

The District Court judge agreed to dismiss with prejudice the felony rioting charges against reporter Madeline Fening and photography intern Lucas Griffith of Citybeat Cincinnati.

The two were among at least 13 people arrested Thursday in a demonstration that blocked the Roebling Bridge, which carries traffic over the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Kentucky. Police in Covington, Kentucky, said those who were arrested refused to disperse and threatened officers.

The journalists and others also face misdemeanor charges that include failing to disperse, obstructing emergency responders, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/immigration-protest-cincinnati-journalists-charges-dropped-kentucky-4f1c8c7a9719d67a5e4bd1ba6c6fc419