CNN's Don Lemon causes outrage from Ferguson: 'Obviously, there's a smell of marijuana here'
The town was gripped by violent scenes after a jury chose not to charge white officer Darren Wilson for shooting unarmed black teen Michael Brown
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Don Lemon has had quite the week reporting for CNN.
Days after he attracted criticism for insinuating one woman, who had accused Bill Cosby of sexually assaulting her, should have "bitten him", he sparked mild media outrage when he came live from unfolding events in the St Louis suburb of Ferguson.
The town was gripped by violent scenes last night, after a grand jury chose not to bring charges against Darren Wilson, the white police officer who shot dead Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, on 9 August.
The police reacted to the situation with yet more violence, firing rubber bullets at protesters and emptying canisters of tear gas. Meanwhile, the US Federal Aviation Administration declared the area above the town a no-fly zone.
At the start of his televised address, Don Lemon’s description of the events mirrored that of The Independent’s report.
"We’ve heard gun shots this evening – a couple during the prosecutor’s announcement," Lemon said to camera.
"Maybe a minute, two minutes ago we heard a gunshot and watched people scattering.
So far, so the same as every other report from Ferguson. Then came the questionable addition of the word "obviously" in the following lines:
"And we’re watching people on the roofs of cars, on the tops of cars and, erm… Obviously there’s a smell of marijuana here as well."
A number of media outlets pointed out Lemon’s turn of phrase erred on the side of culturally insensitive.
Not unlike the remarks he made to Joan Tarshis, who claims Cosby raped her when she was 19.
Lemon told her that "there are ways not to perform oral sex if you didn’t want to do it".
He later apologised for suggesting she could have stopped the sexual assault from happening - and claimed that he is a "victim" himself.
"As I am a victim myself I would never want suggest that any victim could have prevented a rape.
"If my question to her struck anyone as insensitive I am sorry as that is certainly and was not my intention."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments