A Sunday church service in the American state of Minnesota was brought to a halt this weekend after a large group of immigration rights activists staged a dramatic protest inside the building.
Confrontation Inside Cities Church
The incident took place on Sunday 18 January 2026 at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. A substantial number of demonstrators, identifying themselves as anti-ICE protesters, walked into the church during the service. Their action was a direct response to the church's connection to a senior official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The protesters chanted and called for "justice for Renee Good" alongside their "immigrant neighbors." They allege that a pastor at the church, David Easterwood, leads the local ICE field office which has been involved in what they describe as recent violent arrests.
Pastor's Reaction and Churchgoers' Disgust
The disruption caused visible anger and distress among the congregation. Jonathan Parnell, the pastor conducting the service at the time, was captured on video shouting "Shame on you" at the demonstrators. Church attendees were seen leaving the service in apparent disgust as the protest unfolded.
After a period of confrontation inside the building, the demonstrators were eventually escorted out. However, the protest continued outside, with activists maintaining their chants on the pavement surrounding the church property.
Broader Context of Immigration Tensions
This incident highlights the deepening tensions in communities across the United States over federal immigration enforcement policies. The targeting of a place of worship signifies how these debates are intersecting with personal faith and community spaces.
The protest at Cities Church underscores the activists' strategy of confronting officials in their personal and community roles, arguing that involvement with agencies like ICE is incompatible with their religious leadership. The church has yet to issue a formal public statement regarding the disruption or the allegations against Pastor Easterwood.
