Two individuals have been arrested following a protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The arrests were announced by Pam Bondi, the state’s Attorney General, who identified the protesters as Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen. The protest occurred on Sunday, during which demonstrators disrupted a church service by chanting slogans such as “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” highlighting the protester who was fatally shot by an ICE agent.
Armstrong, a prominent activist, targeted Cities Church due to the pastor’s ties with ICE. She expressed her belief that the pastor should resign, stating, “You cannot lead a congregation while directing an agency whose actions have cost lives and inflicted fear in our communities.” She further criticized authorities for failing to conduct meaningful investigations into incidents like the shooting of Renee Good, describing the lack of accountability as intimidation rather than justice.
Legal Implications and Political Reactions
The Department of Justice’s attempt to charge former CNN anchor Don Lemon in connection with the protest was denied by a federal magistrate judge on Thursday. Lemon had livestreamed the incident and was present during the disruption. Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, specifically criticized Lemon for his involvement, tweeting that the First Amendment does not protect his “pseudo journalism” that disrupts a prayer service. Bondi expressed her frustration over the decision, stating that more arrests are anticipated.
In a statement on social media, Bondi emphasized the importance of respecting places of worship, declaring, “Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP.” She indicated that the situation surrounding the protest would not be taken lightly, raising the possibility of further legal action against participants.
During a speech in Toledo, Ohio, Vice President JD Vance praised the arrests of Armstrong and Allen, while also condemning Minnesota’s local leadership and law enforcement. He argued that the lack of support from local authorities has allowed protests to escalate, claiming, “When you don’t see chaos in the rest of the USA, the natural conclusion is that it’s NOT what ICE is doing in Minneapolis — it’s what Minneapolis authorities are doing to prevent ICE from doing their jobs.”
Vance’s comments reflect a broader national debate on immigration enforcement and local law enforcement’s role. His call for cooperation between federal and local authorities aims to address the tensions surrounding protests and ICE operations.
As the situation unfolds, the community remains divided over the actions of both the protesters and law enforcement. The ongoing discussions highlight the complex dynamics of immigration policy, public safety, and civil rights in the United States.
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