MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A protest at a Minnesota church against immigration enforcement has escalated into a significant legal matter, with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announcing the arrests of nine individuals involved in the incident.
The protest took place at Cities Church in St. Paul, where demonstrators expressed their opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities. The protesters reportedly disrupted a church service, chanting phrases like 'ICE out' and 'Justice for Renee Good,' a reference to a tragic incident involving an ICE officer.
According to the indictment unveiled by a grand jury, the arrested individuals face federal civil rights charges, including conspiracy and interfering with worshippers' First Amendment rights. Among those detained are independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, along with local activist Nekima Levy Armstrong.
In a social media update, Bondi identified the two most recent arrestees as Ian Davis Austin and Jerome Deangelo Richardson. Details surrounding their arrests remain unclear, but court documents allege that Richardson traveled to the church with Lemon, capturing aspects of the protest via live streaming.
The church is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, and one of its pastors is linked to ICE's St. Paul field office, intensifying the controversy surrounding the protest.
Austin and Richardson's actions during the protest included questioning a pastor in front of the congregation, highlighting the intersection of faith and political activism within this event.
The ongoing legal proceedings are a part of a wider investigation initiated by the Justice Department concerning the interruption of services at the church and broader issues related to immigration enforcement and civil rights.
