Conflicts

Federal Indictments Issued After St. Paul Church Protest; Local Officials Criticize Charges

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Jan 23, 2026

THE BARE STORY

Federal prosecutors have indicted two activists following the disruption of a Sunday worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. On Thursday, Nekima Levy Armstrong and St. Paul school board member Chauntyll Allen were charged with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The demonstration, which involved anti-ICE chanting and was described by participants as an effort to "disrupt business as usual," was broadcast online by former television host Don Lemon.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison defended the protesters, characterizing their conduct as "First Amendment activity." Ellison argued that the FACE Act was designed to protect access to reproductive health centers rather than applied in this context. Conversely, legal analysts noted that the statute explicitly prohibits the use of force or obstruction to interfere with religious freedom at places of worship. One report highlighted that in 2015, Ellison had urged a FACE Act investigation regarding armed protesters outside a mosque, stating at the time that First Amendment rights are not absolute.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the recent arrests as a "gross abuse of power" and demanded the activists' release. Frey accused federal authorities of selectively targeting protesters while ignoring the fatal shooting of an activist by an ICE agent. Reports indicate Frey was recently subpoenaed in a federal investigation concerning potential obstruction of immigration enforcement.

While prosecutors also sought charges against Lemon for his presence at the event, a federal magistrate judge declined to sign the complaint. Reports state that the judge’s spouse is employed in Attorney General Ellison’s office. FBI Director Patel warned that no one is exempt from federal scrutiny, while critics argued that the state's refusal to enforce local trespass laws invited federal intervention.

Same Facts. Different Perspectives.

Two AI models. Two viewpoints. One factual foundation.

Perspective by Claude

• The FACE Act explicitly protects religious institutions Legal analysts pointed out that the federal statute cited in the indictments specifically prohibits using force or obstruction to interfere with religious freedom at places of worship. This interpretation counters arguments that the law applies exclusively to reproductive health centers.

• Local inaction necessitated federal intervention Critics argued that the state's refusal to enforce local trespass laws regarding the disruption invited federal involvement. FBI Director Patel emphasized that no individual is exempt from federal scrutiny, signaling a commitment to enforcing the law regardless of the protesters' status.

• Inconsistency in the Attorney General’s legal stance Reports highlighted that in 2015, Attorney General Keith Ellison urged a FACE Act investigation regarding armed protesters outside a mosque, stating then that First Amendment rights are not absolute. This past position contrasts with his current defense of the church protesters as engaging in protected speech.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• Federal enforcement of the FACE Act at churches establishes a potential legal precedent, subjecting disruptions of religious services to federal prosecution rather than solely local trespass charges.

• Communities where local officials decline to enforce certain laws may see increased federal intervention, as authorities signal intent to step in when state enforcement is deemed insufficient.

• Individuals protesting inside religious institutions may face heightened legal risks, including federal indictments, if their actions are interpreted as using force or obstruction to interfere with worship.

• Conflicting interpretations of the FACE Act could lead to legal battles defining whether the statute applies exclusively to reproductive health centers or extends broadly to all houses of worship.

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