US EditionExperts: Felony rioting charges for journalists covering protests are rare, troubling
KENTON COUNTY, KENTUCKY, JUL 22 – Felony rioting charges were dismissed with prejudice against two journalists arrested covering a protest supporting detained Egyptian immigrant Ayman Soliman, while misdemeanor charges remain, the ACLU said.
- Wednesday, Kenton County District Judge Kenneth L. Easterling dismissed felony rioting charges, linked to Cincinnati protest coverage by CityBeat journalists Madeline Fening and Lucas Griffith.
- After Ayman Soliman’s July 9 detention, protesters staged a march at The Banks in Cincinnati organized by Ignite Peace, Ohio Poor People’s Campaign and SURJ Cincinnati in support of him.
- During the Roebling Bridge demonstration Thursday, police fired pepper balls and used Tasers, injuring three, according to Benjamin Pugh, and protesters face misdemeanor charges of failure to disperse and obstruction.
- Post-Hearing, four protesters, including marcher Ameer Alkayali, still face felony rioting charges, while others pleaded guilty to misdemeanors, leading to dismissals.
- On Aug. 14, 2025, Madeline Fening and Lucas Griffith have preliminary hearings scheduled, following their felony charges' dismissal, in a case that drew national attention.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Serious Charges Dismissed Against Cincinnati Protestors
On Wednesday, legal authorities dismissed serious charges against two persons who were taken into custody during a rally that originated in Cincinnati. The protest was against the detention of an individual of Egyptian heritage by U.S. immigration agents. An agreement was reached with the District Court judge to with prejudice, put an end to the severe charges of inciting a riot against these two individuals. These two individuals were part of a…
Associated Press News
Felony charges dropped against 2 Ohio journalists arrested during immigration protest
Prosecutors in Kentucky have dropped felony rioting charges against two journalists arrested at a protest that originated in Cincinnati over the detention of an Egyptian man by immigration authorities.
4 face felony charges for Cincinnati protest, while others are dismissed
Protesters on the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge July 17, 2025.(Nick Swartsell / WVXU)Most marchers arrested for a protest on the Roebling Bridge July 17 won't face felony charges for their actions. But four of the 15 still face the more serious accusations after a Wednesday pretrial hearing before Kenton County District Judge Kenneth L. Easterling.Some protesters pleaded guilty to misdemeanor failure to disperse charges Wednesday in exchang…
Riot charges upheld for some Roebling protestors, dismissed for others
Protestors who were arrested on the Roebling Bridge last week appeared in court Wednesday, where some of them received plea deals in exchange for dismissed charges while others had their felony riot charges upheld and sent to a grand jury, which will determine if there is enough evidence for an indictment. The results come following a court hearing in Kenton County District Court. The fifteen people on the docket had received rioting charges (a …
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