The BareStory
On Sunday, a group of activists disrupted a religious service at Cities Church in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area to protest alleged links between a church leader and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The demonstrators, organized in part by civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, shouted slogans such as "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good." Former television host Don Lemon accompanied the group, livestreaming the event inside the sanctuary.
Levy Armstrong stated that the protest aimed to "raise awareness" regarding a pastor, David Easterwood, alleging he was involved in a "racial profiling campaign" and an immigration crackdown. The demonstration occurred amid reported regional tensions following the recent shooting death of a woman named Renee Good by an immigration agent. Lemon characterized the event as an effort to hold individuals accountable, asserting that his presence was journalistic and that the disruption was protected speech.
Following the incident, the Justice Department announced it is investigating the protest as a potential violation of the FACE Act, a federal law that criminalizes the intimidation of individuals at houses of worship. Officials indicated that video footage of the disruption could serve as evidence. The current administration has reportedly moved to investigate protests targeting immigration enforcement in the state.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison defended the demonstrators in an interview on Monday. Ellison argued that protest is a fundamental right and suggested that critics of the disruption were "getting tender about a church service." While acknowledging the federal inquiry, the Attorney General claimed the FACE Act does not apply to this specific incident, arguing it is primarily designed to protect access to reproductive health centers. However, historical records indicate Ellison has previously advocated for using the FACE Act to protect religious parishioners from harassment.
How it may affect me
As a U.S. reader:
• The Justice Department's investigation may clarify whether federal laws protecting access to reproductive health centers also extend to criminalizing protests inside houses of worship.
• Individuals participating in demonstrations against immigration enforcement could face increased federal scrutiny if their actions disrupt private religious services or target specific leaders.
• Religious communities may experience changes in federal protections against harassment, pending the determination of whether sanctuary disruptions constitute protected speech or legal violations.
• Legal uncertainty regarding protest rights may persist due to conflicting interpretations of the FACE Act between state officials and federal authorities.
