Activist Exposes AI Manipulation in Arrest After Protest Against ICE

Mon Feb 02 2026 19:06:55 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Nekima Levy Armstrong, a Minnesota activist arrested during an anti-ICE protest, released footage of her arrest to counter a misleading image shared by the White House. The video reveals a raw account of her treatment and highlights concerns over government narratives.

Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney, was arrested during a protest against ICE at a church in Minnesota. After the release of a manipulated image of her arrest by the White House, Levy Armstrong published a video showing her own account of the incident. In the video, she emphasizes the abuse of power by federal agents and raises alarm over the use of AI to distort narratives. Her spokesperson indicated that the incident reflects broader issues of political persecution under the current administration.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In a dramatic turn of events, Nekima Levy Armstrong, a Minnesota civil rights attorney, released her own video capturing the moment of her arrest during an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protest at a local church.

Levy Armstrong's protest aimed to disrupt ICE’s operations, which she claims contribute to systemic injustice against marginalized communities. The incident gained traction after the White House shared a manipulated image on its social media, which depicted her crying as she was led away by federal agents. This sparked widespread outrage, leading Levy Armstrong to release her video as a counter-narrative.

This video, filmed by her husband during her arrest, showcases a factual account where she appears composed, telling agents, I'm asking you to please treat me with dignity and respect. The footage contradicts the emotional portrayal used by officials to depict her as a far-left agitator.

Levy Armstrong, who along with another activist was charged following the Thursday protest, expressed, “We are being politically persecuted for speaking out against authoritarianism, fascism and the tyranny of the Trump administration.” Her release brings forth concerns regarding the use of AI in journalism and politics, particularly how images can be manipulated to create misleading narratives.

The response from the Department of Homeland Security remains pending, as multiple activists and various organizations call for a reevaluation of the depiction of protestor activity in media.