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Black Lives Matter activist sues Fox News host 'Judge Jeanine' Pirro for on air defamation

DeRay McKesson brings lawsuit after presenter accuses him of directing protester to throw rock at policeman during demonstration

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The Independent US
Jeanine Pirro Andy Kropa/Invision/AP

A civil rights activist is suing Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, claiming she defamed him while discussing a lawsuit against the Black Lives Matter movement that was later dismissed.

The lawsuit states that DeRay McKesson was falsely arrested while attending a protest in which a police officer was struck in the face with a rock. The officer sued the Black Lives Matter movement and McKesson.

During an appearance on Fox News, the lawsuit claims Pirro falsely stated that McKesson “directed someone to hit the police officer in the face with a rock.” The suit says the statements were extremely dangerous and continue to endanger McKesson.

Black Lives Matter organizes march to Trump tower

Black Lives Matter organizes march to Trump tower

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    Kandy Freeman participates in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017.

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    People participate in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017.

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    Hawk Newsome, a Black Lives Matter activist, leads a protest outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017.

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    Hawk Newsome (C) leads a chant during a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, US. January 14, 2017.

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    People participate in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017.

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    An NYPD officer speaks with a Black Lives Matter leaders during a protest in the snow outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017.

    Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images

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    Kandy Freeman participates in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017.

    Stephanie Keith/Reuters

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    An NYPD officer speaks with a Black Lives Matter leaders during a protest in the snow outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017.

    Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images

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    Carol Garza, a Black Lives Matter supporter, protests outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017.

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    People participate in a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Trump Tower in New York City, U.S. January 14, 2017.

    Stephanie Keith/Reuters

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    A Black Lives Matter supporter protests in the snow outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017.

    Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images

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    Black Lives Matter activists march in front of Trump Tower on January 14, 2017 in New York City.

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    Black Lives Matter activists march in front of Trump Tower on January 14, 2017 in New York City.

    Kevin Hagen/Getty

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    Black Lives Matter supporters protest in the snow outside Trump Tower in New York City on January 14, 2017.

    Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images

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    Black Lives Matter Kandy Freeman marches in front of Trump Tower on January 14, 2017 in New York City.

    Kevin Hagen/Getty

Fox News says Pirro's statements are protected speech.

The suit, which also names Fox News Network, was filed in New York on Tuesday.

AP