Southern Baptist Churches Respond to Disruptive Protest in Minnesota
In an unexpected turn of events, a protest by anti-ICE activists at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, has caught national attention. The incident has prompted the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board (NAMB) to pledge unwavering support for its churches against such disruptions.
During the Sunday service, protesters entered the church, causing a disturbance that led to the premature end of the worship service. “This group trespassed on public property and willfully obstructed Christian worship,” stated NAMB President Kevin Ezell in a statement. He condemned the protesters’ actions as “lawless harassment” and emphasized that no political cause could justify such behavior.
The protesters were reportedly affiliated with the Racial Justice Network and Black Lives Matter Minnesota. Their actions interrupted Senior Pastor Jonathan Parnell’s sermon, with accusations directed at one of the church’s pastors, David Easterwood, for allegedly leading a local ICE office. Pastor Parnell expressed his dismay, noting that protesters “accosted members of our congregation, frightened children, and created a scene marked by intimidation and threat,” according to a statement released by the church.
The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated an investigation to determine if any federal laws were violated during the protest. Ezell welcomed the inquiry, thanking local law enforcement for their prompt response and urging Minnesota’s leaders to prevent such incidents in the future.
The demonstration at Cities Church happened shortly after an ICE agent shot and killed protester Renee Good in Minneapolis. Good had driven her vehicle into an ICE officer after refusing to move it from a blocked street. The Trump administration has defended ICE’s activities in Minnesota, citing the need to apprehend and deport individuals with criminal records.
ICE Director Todd Lyons stated, “Regardless of staged political theatrics, ICE is going to continue to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens in Minnesota and elsewhere.” He defended ICE’s actions as vital for community safety, despite political opposition.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
