AG Announces Arrest of 2 People Involved in Minnesota Church Protest/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Two activists have been arrested following a protest at a Minnesota church tied to ICE enforcement. Attorney General Pam Bondi and DHS officials cite legal violations during the disruption of worship. VP JD Vance visits amid unrest over ICE raids and the controversial killing of Renee Good.
Activist Arrests in Minnesota Church Protest: Quick Looks
- Two Activists Arrested: Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Allen arrested for protest inside St. Paul church.
- Protest Disrupted Worship: Demonstrators targeted a pastor linked to ICE following the fatal shooting of Renee Good.
- Charges Under FACE Act: Justice Department cites federal law protecting access to worship spaces.
- VP Vance Visits Minneapolis: Vows to support ICE and enforce immigration crackdown.
- Civil Rights Probe Demanded: No federal investigation yet into ICE officer’s shooting of Renee Good.
- High-Profile Backlash: Critics call arrests political, as tension grows in immigrant communities.
- Federal Subpoenas Issued: DOJ probes possible interference by Minnesota officials with ICE enforcement.
- Escalation Continues: ICE and Border Patrol conduct forceful arrests, deploy gas, and face resistance from residents.
Deep Look: Inside the Arrests, Protests, and Political Fallout in Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS — Federal authorities announced the arrest of two prominent activists, including civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, after a protest disrupted a Sunday church service in St. Paul where an ICE officer serves as pastor. The protest, which called out ICE’s role in the fatal shooting of Renee Good, comes amid heightened tensions over federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the arrest via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that such protests violate federal protections on worship spaces. A second protester, identified as Chauntyll Louisa Allen, was also arrested. Bondi labeled the disruption as an “attack on a place of worship” and signaled a hardline response, saying: “WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP.”
The Justice Department has opened a civil investigation into the protest, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posting a photo of Levy Armstrong being detained. While Noem said Armstrong faces charges under statutes prohibiting intimidation of those practicing religion, legal experts believe the administration is pursuing charges under the FACE Act — a federal law traditionally used in abortion clinic access cases.
The use of the FACE Act here is controversial. Though the law is designed to prevent the obstruction of religious services, critics argue its application in this context — particularly given the peaceful nature of the protest — signals political retribution.
Levy Armstrong, a key figure in past protests following the deaths of George Floyd and Philando Castile, had publicly demanded the pastor’s resignation, calling his dual role as ICE officer and spiritual leader “a moral conflict.”
“You can’t lead a congregation while also overseeing an agency responsible for deadly force and fear in our communities,” she said.
The church, part of the Southern Baptist Convention, has received strong backing from national evangelical leaders. They claim that while immigration enforcement is painful, it doesn’t justify disrupting worship.
The arrests coincide with a politically charged visit by Vice President JD Vance, who has defended the ICE operation and the officer who killed Good. Speaking in Toledo before traveling to Minnesota, Vance framed the protest as an attack on American values.
“They scared little kids. Those people will be sent to prison if we have the power to do so,” Vance said.
The FACE Act prohibits using threats or physical obstruction to interfere with religious services — a law that has seen increasing use under both Trump and Biden administrations but is rarely invoked for immigration-related protests.
While federal authorities pursue legal action against the protesters, the Justice Department has not opened a civil rights investigation into Renee Good’s death. Officials argue the ICE officer acted in self-defense, claiming Good — who was behind the wheel of a Honda — moved the car toward the officer during a raid. Civil rights leaders dispute that narrative and call the lack of investigation a dangerous precedent.
Adding to the political heat, the DOJ has launched a separate inquiry into whether Minnesota officials obstructed federal immigration enforcement. Subpoenas were issued to the governor’s office, state AG Keith Ellison, and several city mayors, asking for communications that may reveal resistance to ICE operations.
At a press conference Thursday, U.S. Border Patrol leader Greg Bovino claimed activists were creating an “anarchist” climate. “The environment for law enforcement in Minnesota right now is toxic,” Bovino said, blaming local officials for refusing to cooperate.
His comments came shortly after a federal court temporarily lifted a ban on the use of tear gas and pepper spray by federal agents against demonstrators. A video released afterward shows Bovino warning a crowd in Minneapolis, “Gas is coming!” before deploying a green smoke canister.
Meanwhile, ICE operations continue across Minneapolis, with hundreds detained in recent weeks as part of what DHS called its “largest enforcement initiative to date.” The crackdown follows Trump’s hardline stance on immigration and his claim that certain communities, especially Minnesota’s Somali American population, are involved in fraud and should be deported.
With Vice President Vance scheduled to hold a roundtable discussion on “restoring law and order,” local Democrats have accused the administration of using ICE as a political tool.
“Minnesota is being targeted — not because of crime, but because of who we are and what we stand for,” said Richard Carlbom, chair of the Minnesota Democratic Party.
Vance, however, doubled down on the administration’s intent to cut federal funds to sanctuary cities beginning February 1.
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