MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A civil rights attorney named Nekima Levy Armstrong and at least two other individuals involved in an anti-immigration enforcement protest at a Minnesota church have been arrested, according to officials from the Trump administration. The protest occurred on January 19, 2026, at Cities Church in St. Paul, where an official from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) serves as pastor. The protest disrupted church services and drew national attention.
Vice President JD Vance, speaking in Minneapolis, emphasized the need for cooperation between state, local, and federal law enforcement while urging protesters to cease obstructing law enforcement activities. Following the protest, Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed Levy Armstrong's arrest, along with a second individual, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and later announced a third arrest, William Kelly. The protestors were chanting slogans like "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good," referencing a 37-year-old woman fatally shot by an ICE officer earlier in January 2026.
The Justice Department has initiated a civil rights investigation following reports of the church protest, focusing on potential infringements during worship activities. Bondi warned, "WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP," posting her sentiments on social media platform X. Cities Church, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, faced criticism for allowing a pastor, David Easterwood, to manage both religious and ICE duties, prompting activists to call for his resignation.
Doug Wardlow, a lawyer representing the church, commended the Justice Department for its prompt action in arresting those responsible for the disruption. Levy Armstrong, an established activist and former president of the NAACP's Minneapolis branch, criticized the dual role of the pastor as a conflict of faith and morality, arguing that leading a congregation while directing ICE only breeds fear and violence in communities.
As the narrative intensified, Vance labeled protests as acts that threaten public safety, even implying that individuals involved in protests could face severe repercussions, stating, "Those people are going to be sent to prison so long as we have the power to do so." Tensions escalated when a U.S. Border Patrol official claimed that local law enforcement had not aided federal agents surrounded by protesters, leading to further scrutiny of local response to federal immigration enforcement.
Federal magistrate judge Doug Micko granted bond restrictions for Levy Armstrong and Allen, limiting their movements outside Minnesota and around the church. Their legal counsel noted that the Trump administration opted for an arrest rather than allowing a peaceful self-surrender, revealing the dramatically orchestrated nature of their apprehension.
The Justice Department quickly determined that there were no grounds for a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Good, asserting that the ICE officer acted in self-defense. In contrast, they launched an inquiry about whether Minnesota officials had obstructed federal enforcement activities. This included issuing subpoenas to various local officials, including Governor Tim Walz and other state executives, scrutinizing their public statements regarding federal immigration enforcement.
Journalist Don Lemon was also mentioned amid legal discussions revolving around the protest. Charges against him related to the protest were rejected by a judge, affirming his actions during the protest fell within journalistic activities rather than protest participation. Lemon expressed his intentions to report the event and interact with those involved, defending his work under the First Amendment.
The situation has sparked widespread discourse about the intersection of immigration enforcement, civil rights, and faith-based organizations amid growing tensions across the United States. The implications of these arrests, coupled with the ongoing investigations, promise to continue influencing the local community and the national conversation surrounding immigration policy and civil liberties.
