WATCH: CNN Reporter Arrested Live on Air While Covering Minneapolis Protests

A CNN reporter and his crew have been arrested live on air while covering the Minneapolis protests early Friday morning.

According to CNN, correspondent Omar Jimenez was reporting live on recent events in the area when police asked Jimenez and his crew to move.

Jimenez responded saying: “We can move back to where you’d like. We can move back to where you’d like here. We are live on the air at the moment. This is the four of us. We are one team. Just put us back where you want us.

“We’re getting out of your way,” Jimenez continued. “So, just let us know. Wherever you’d want us, we will go. We were just getting out of your way when you were advancing through the intersection. Let us know and we’ve got you.”

As Jimenez continued his report, two officers approached and informed him that he was under arrest. Jimenez was handcuffed and led away by the police to a nearby police van. CNN photojournalist Leonel Mendez and the rest of the crew were also arrested shortly after.

CNN has suggested the arrest was racially motivated, tweeting: “A black reporter from CNN was arrested while legally covering the protests in Minneapolis. A white reporter also on the ground was not.”

Jimenez and his crew were released shortly after the police checked their identification.

WATCH: