On February 8, just after 5pm, NewsNation journalist Evan Lambert was reporting live from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s press conference at an elementary school gymnasium in East Palestine, Ohio.
On body camera footage released Thursday, Ohio State Troopers approached Lambert — who is Black and gay — and asked him to leave the gymnasium.
Within minutes, officers tackled, handcuffed and arrested Lambert, charging the seasoned D.C. journalist with criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct.
‘I am allowed to be here’
Days earlier, a series of train cars carrying toxic chemicals derailed near the rural community of about 5,000 residents, causing a massive explosion.
Lambert was one of dozens of local and national reporters covering the incident.
In a written statement released Thursday by the East Palestine Police Department, law enforcement said Lambert was “loud” during the broadcast — a narrative commonly used to justify the violent policing, profiling, arrest and murder of Black Americans.
In body camera footage released by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, multiple law enforcement officers can be heard telling Lambert to leave the gymnasium.
“I am allowed to be here,” Lambert said. “I am doing my job.”
Moments later, two East Palestine law enforcement officers tackled Lambert near the entrance of the gym, wrestled him to the floor, handcuffed him and placed him under arrest for criminal trespassing.
“I’m a reporter with NewsNation. This is all being recorded right now,” Lambert told officers as they arrested him, according to video footage shot by a bystander. “This is what it’s like to be a Black reporter in 2023.”
Police face backlash, journalist offer support
Body camera footage also shows Ohio National Guard Adjutant General John Harris — commander of the Ohio National Guard and a member of Gov. DeWine’s cabinet — place an open palm on Lambert’s chest and push him, causing him to stumble backward.
The East Palestine Police Department’s official statement confirmed that Harris pushed Lambert, contained other statements inconsistent with bystander and body camera footage of the incident.
Lambert currently faces disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing charges and spent more than 5 hours in the Columbiana County Jail Wednesday night before being released on bond.
During the press conference, Gov. DeWine said he did not authorize Lambert’s removal or arrest, and publicly expressed concern for Lambert.
The East Liverpool/Wellsville NAACP released a statement condemning Lambert’s arrest, along with Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Columbus)
NLGJA: The Association for LGBTQ Journalists also released a statement in support of Lambert, who has been married to dancer and fitness instructor David McMichael for more than a decade.
In 2020, during Lambert’s stint reporting for Fox 5, the pair even appeared on air in a Valentines Day feature to talk about their love story.
“Lambert’s arrest was unacceptable and a drastic overreaction on the part of the East Palestine police,” said NLGJA National Board President Ken Miguel in a written statement. “[We] stand with you, Evan.”
‘I’m just trying to do my job’
After his release, Lambert appeared in a live TV interview with his colleague, NewsNation’s Ashleigh Banfield.
“I’m just trying to do my job,” Lambert told Banfield. “As I’m continuing to do right now.”
He also encouraged non-journalists and journalists alike to record situations involving law enforcement as they unfold.
“No journalist expects to be arrested when you’re doing your job,” Lambert said, still visibly shaken. “And I think it’s really important that doesn’t happen in our country.” 🔥
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