At Least 13 Arrested Including Journalists During Immigration Protest in Cincinnati
Police in Cincinnati detained a minimum of 13 individuals — notably including two journalists — amid a heated protest against the detention of an Egyptian immigrant chaplain. The demonstrators had blocked the Roebling Bridge, a key traffic artery spanning the Ohio River and linking Cincinnati, Ohio with Covington, Kentucky.
Journalists Detained While Reporting
Among those arrested were Madeline Fening, a reporter, and Lucas Griffith, a photography intern, both affiliated with CityBeat, a Cincinnati-based news and entertainment outlet. They were formally arraigned Friday morning in a Kentucky court facing multiple charges, including felony rioting. CityBeat’s editor-in-chief Ashley Moor confirmed their involvement and persistent legal struggle to cover these unfolding events amidst escalating tensions.
Backdrop: Who Is Ayman Soliman?
The protest was organized to support Ayman Soliman, a hospital chaplain at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after attending a routine check-in. Soliman’s case illuminates the precarious situations many immigrants face, where routine procedures can swiftly lead to detention and possible deportation despite community support and work authorizations.
Protest Violence and Police Response
Video footage from Thursday night shows confrontations escalating rapidly. Notably, an officer was recorded punching a protester multiple times during a struggle, while another clip captured an incident where a black SUV entered the protest area on the Roebling Bridge. Tensions peaked when protesters wearing neon vests physically pushed the vehicle, underscoring the volatile nature of the demonstration.
Authorities from Covington police defended their actions, stating the arrests followed refusals to disperse and episodes of hostility directed at officers attempting to engage with protest organizers. Charges filed include rioting, obstruction of emergency responders, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct, reflecting a broad legal crackdown on the protest activity.
Wider Context: Journalists Under Pressure Nationwide
This incident is not isolated. Across the United States, more than two dozen journalists reporting on immigration-related protests have been harmed or arrested in 2025. For instance, Mario Guevara, a Spanish-language journalist from El Salvador, was detained in June near Atlanta during a "No Kings" rally, initially facing multiple charges that were later dropped. Yet, he remains in ICE custody facing deportation despite having authorization to work and live legally in the US.
These patterns raise significant concerns about press freedom, public safety, and the escalating tensions surrounding immigration enforcement. Journalists covering these protests find themselves in precarious positions—caught between reporting the truth and facing potential legal or physical threats.
Legal and Civic Implications
- The arrests underscore the complex balance local authorities must strike between maintaining public order and respecting constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful assembly.
- The significant charges like felony rioting against journalists suggest a disturbing trend towards criminalizing newsgathering during civil protests.
- Civil rights advocates argue that blocking critical infrastructure, like major bridges, while disruptive, remains a traditional form of protest, invoking the question: At what point does enforcement overreach curb democratic expression?
- ICE's involvement in arrests tied to media coverage raises alarms about immigrant rights and protections for lawful residents and workers caught in enforcement net.
What Lies Ahead?
Each arrested individual was assigned a bond of $2,500, signaling the immediate procedural next steps but leaving open broader questions about how the justice system will ultimately treat peaceful protesters, activists, and journalists alike. The unfolding situation in Cincinnati offers a microcosm of nationwide debates over immigration policy, community advocacy, media freedom, and law enforcement accountability.
Editor’s Note
The tension between civil protest and law enforcement in Cincinnati shines a harsh light on the intersection of immigration policy and press freedom in the United States today. While public safety is paramount, the treatment of journalists and demonstrators probing systemic issues invites scrutiny on how democratic rights are upheld under pressure. This case also prompts crucial reflection on ICE’s deportation practices, especially regarding individuals like Ayman Soliman, whose detention has galvanized local communities and media alike. How will courts balance felony charges against the fundamental right to assembly? What safeguards can protect journalists covering stories that challenge official narratives? These challenges demand ongoing attention from policymakers, advocates, and citizens committed to a just and transparent public sphere.
