Authorities have detained several individuals following a protest at a Minneapolis church last weekend. The incident has gained significant attention because one of the church’s pastors is reportedly associated with ICE.
Protest at St. Paul Church Leads to Arrests
In a recent announcement, officials from the Trump administration confirmed the arrest of at least three individuals who participated in a protest at a St. Paul, Minnesota church. The event occurred last Sunday, involving a pastor who is a known ICE official. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeled the protest a riot, resulting in federal felony charges against some demonstrators. Matt Sepic of Minnesota Public Radio provides more insight.
Details of the Arrested Individuals
Federal agents have taken into custody three individuals: William Kelly, Chauntyll Allen, and Nekima Levy Armstrong. Allen, a member of the St. Paul school board and a veteran Black Lives Matter activist, was among those apprehended. Another arrestee, Levy Armstrong, serves as both a Christian pastor and a civil rights attorney. During the protest, Levy Armstrong criticized the church’s decision to have David Easterwood, identified in court documents as a local ICE leader, on its ministry team.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
NEKIMA LEVY ARMSTRONG: So someone who claims to worship God, teaching people in this church about God, is out there overseeing ICE agents.
In a recording by journalist Georgia Fort, the demonstration was noted to be loud and disruptive. Although Easterwood was absent, another pastor increased the music volume to counteract the protesters. Notably, there were no reports of property damage or personal injury during the incident.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Levy Armstrong and Allen have already appeared in court. According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rob Keenan and Orlando Sanza (ph) from the Justice Department, the defendants face charges of conspiracy against civil rights, specifically for infringing on churchgoers’ First Amendment rights to worship. Magistrate Judge Doug Micko, presiding over the case, paused proceedings to retrieve necessary arrest warrant documents when prosecutors were unprepared.
Current Status of the Detainees
The activists remain in custody, as prosecutors argue that their actions were violent due to the fear instilled in parishioners. A parishioner reportedly slipped on ice while fleeing, sustaining a broken arm. However, Judge Micko dismissed the prosecution’s motion for detention and denied their request for a $10,000 cash bail. Prosecutors have appealed Micko’s decision, delaying the release of Levy Armstrong and Allen. Jordan Kushner, representing Levy Armstrong, criticized the prosecution as politically motivated.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
JORDAN KUSHNER: This is fascism right at work, right now, where you go to jail in prison because you exercise your First Amendment right to criticize the government.
Controversial Use of Child by ICE
In another incident drawing significant criticism, federal agents allegedly used a 5-year-old boy to apprehend undocumented immigrants at his residence. The Columbia Heights school district reported that agents detained Liam Conejo Ramos, leading him to knock on his door to check for others at home. ICE subsequently detained both Liam and his father, who are now held in Texas. The Department of Homeland Security has countered claims of using a child as bait through social media.
Reporter Matt Sepic contributed to this coverage from Minnesota Public Radio.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
