Justice Department announces multiple arrests in St. Paul’s Church protest
AG Pam Bondi said federal agents have arrested three people involved in a protest that disrupted Sunday services at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
A federal judge has rejected a proposed criminal charge from the Justice Department against former CNN anchor Don Lemon in connection with a protest inside a Minnesota church on January 18, and three protesters were arrested on January 22, multiple news outlets reported, citing anonymous sources.
Lemon was one of several journalists who attended the Cities Church protest in St. Paul, Minn., speaking with members of the congregation, protesters and one of the church’s pastors, all of which was shared in a nearly seven-hour livestream available on Lemon’s YouTube channel.
CNN, Reuters and CBS News reported that sources said the decision “infuriated” Attorney General Pam Bondi.
USA TODAY reached out to Lemon for comment, but his attorney, Abby Rowell, told CBS News in a statement that the refusal “confirms that Don’s First Amendment nature protected his job as a reporter in Minnesota this weekend.”
“If the Department of Justice continues its alarming and troubling efforts to silence and punish journalists in the line of duty, Don will condemn the latest attacks on the rule of law and will vigorously and vigorously fight any charges in court,” the statement said.
The Pioneer Press, citing anonymous sources, reported that independent journalist Georgia Fort was also briefly listed as a defendant in early court filings.
“Like Don Lemon, Georgia is an award-winning journalist who participated in the demonstration solely in that capacity. … The government’s actions are deeply concerning, and Georgia stands ready to defend itself if necessary,” Fort’s attorney Reeta Walker told the Pioneer Press.
Activists arrested during church protest
Bondi announced on January 22 that FBI and Homeland Security officials participated in the arrests of civil rights activists Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntil Louisa Allen, who helped organize the protests. Anti-ICE activist and military veteran William Kelly was also arrested, Bondi said.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on the The official Department of Homeland Security account also said the same thing about Allen.
An arrest warrant against Allen, obtained and broadcast by Minneapolis CBS affiliate WCCO, shows two charges have been filed against her, with Magistrate Judge Douglas Mikko handwriting out one charge and writing “no probable cause.”
Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Allen were granted release by Mr. Mikko, but remain in custody after the government appeals the release order, Mr. Allen’s attorney, James Cook, confirmed in an interview with USA TODAY. “I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Cook said. The Pioneer Press reported that a detention hearing is scheduled for Jan. 23.
“These are officials who are making political decisions and intentionally staging a political spectacle and a political circus outside of the court system for their own ends,” Armstrong’s attorney Jordan Kushner said after the hearing, according to the Pioneer Press.
The Minnesota Star Tribune reported that Kelly’s attorney, Chase Iron Eyes, said his client was “just exercising his right to free speech.”
What happened at Cities Church?
On January 18, a group of demonstrators entered Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, claiming to be the Rev. David Easterwood, acting director of ICE’s St. Paul field office.
Nikki Muhlhausen, public information officer for the St. Paul Police Department, told USA TODAY that officers responded to the church, but by the time they arrived, the group of 30 to 40 protesters had moved outside. Muhlhausen added that the department is actively investigating the protest as disorderly conduct.
Video from the protest showed demonstrators shouting “ICE out” and Parnell responding by shouting, “Shame on you, this is God’s house and we worship.” Kelly can be seen having a heated conversation with a man who appears to be a believer.
A video of the protest posted by Armstrong shows him standing inside the church and said Easterwood’s role as a pastor conflicts with his role overseeing ICE agents.
“Why do you claim to be a minister of God and engage in evil in our community?” Armstrong said.
In a statement posted to X on January 20, the church called the protesters “instigators” who “accused members of our congregation, threatened children, and created a scene of intimidation and intimidation.” The church added that it was considering legal action.
The protest was held less than two weeks after the January 7 shooting death of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by ICE officer Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis.
Contributed by: Reuters
