Two Arrests Made Following Anti-ICE Demonstration at Minnesota Church
Two individuals have been taken into custody following a disruptive protest at a church in Minnesota, where demonstrators voiced opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the arrests of Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen on Thursday, marking a significant development in a case that has drawn national attention.
Church Service Interrupted by Protest Chants
The incident occurred at the Cities Church in St. Paul during a Sunday service, where protesters entered the building and began chanting "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good." The demonstration specifically targeted the church because a local ICE official serves as a pastor there, creating what activists describe as a fundamental moral conflict between religious leadership and immigration enforcement duties.
The Justice Department responded swiftly to the disruption by opening a civil rights investigation, examining whether the protesters' actions violated federal protections for places of worship. This rapid response stands in contrast to the department's decision not to investigate the shooting death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier this month.
Activist Background and Legal Context
Nekima Levy Armstrong, a prominent civil rights attorney and former president of the NAACP's Minneapolis branch, has been at the forefront of local activism following high-profile police-involved killings. In a statement before her arrest, she argued that "you cannot lead a congregation while directing an agency whose actions have cost lives and inflicted fear in our communities."
The legal basis for potential charges against the protesters centers on the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which prohibits obstructing or intimidating people seeking to participate in religious services. Justice Department officials have indicated they are considering applying this statute, despite previous criticism from the Trump administration about its use in abortion clinic cases.
Broader Political and Community Reactions
The protest has sparked diverse reactions across the political and religious spectrum:
- Attorney General Bondi declared on social media that "we do not tolerate attacks on places of worship" and suggested more actions might follow
- Prominent Southern Baptist Convention leaders have defended the church, arguing that compassion for migrant families doesn't justify disrupting worship services
- The Justice Department has separately launched an investigation into whether Minnesota officials impeded federal immigration enforcement through public statements
This incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing tension between immigration enforcement practices and community activism, with the Justice Department's contrasting approaches to different aspects of the situation highlighting the complex legal and ethical questions surrounding immigration policy and protest rights.
