Minnesota Church Protest Leads to Federal Charges Against Activists

Mon Feb 02 2026 22:14:32 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Nine individuals, including notable journalists and activists, face federal charges following a protest against immigration crackdowns at a Minnesota church that supports ICE.

A protest at the Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, against U.S. immigration enforcement has led to the arrest of nine individuals, including journalists and local activists. They have been indicted on federal civil rights charges for interfering with church services and allegedly disrupting the worshippers. The protest referenced a tragic case involving an ICE officer’s shooting, highlighting contentious immigration policies in the U.S.

MINNEAPOLIS — The U.S. Attorney General announced the arrests of two more individuals involved in a protest at a church in Minnesota, bringing the total to nine. These protests, opposing the federal immigration policy spearheaded by ICE, were marked by federal civil rights charges against the group, including journalists and local activists.

The arrests stemmed from an event at Cities Church in St. Paul where attendees interrupted church services, leading to significant reactions from law enforcement and federal authorities. Among those arrested are prominent figures like Don Lemon and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, who are now facing serious legal consequences.

The indictment, unsealed recently, alleges conspiracy and interference with religious rights during the protest which attracted nationwide attention. The church, linked to the Southern Baptist Convention, has become a site of contention due to its ties to ICE enforcement officials.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the identities of the latest arrestees, Ian Davis Austin and Jerome Deangelo Richardson, although further details regarding their involvement remain unclear. They join a group that raised their voices in solidarity for victims of harsh immigration policies.

Online records indicate that Austin was arrested on Friday, as community members organized to support those affected by the policies in question, citing multiple tragic incidents involving ICE. The ongoing public dialogue continues to highlight the conflict between enforcement actions and civil rights within places of worship.

The protest demanded an end to ICE activities, particularly referencing the fatal shooting of a mother of three in Minneapolis, stirring deep emotions within the community and challenging the moral underpinnings of federal enforcement practices.