Attorney General Pam Bondi recently announced federal charges against 30 individuals involved in a protest at a Minnesota church linked to an ICE pastor. Bondi shared on social media that 25 people are already in custody, with more arrests expected. This comes after last month’s indictment of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, along with activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, for their roles during the protest at Cities Church.
The protest erupted when activists learned of the pastor’s ties to ICE. Participants interrupted services, chanting slogans like “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” referencing a woman fatally shot by an ICE officer.
In total, 39 people are now facing charges of conspiracy against religious freedom. While the new defendants have been released after initial court appearances, they maintain their innocence, citing their presence as journalists.
The indictment describes the protest as a “coordinated takeover,” claiming it left children frightened and bewildered. One child reportedly questioned if their parents would be harmed.
A lawyer representing the church welcomed the new charges. He emphasized that the First Amendment does not allow anyone to intimidate families in a place of worship. The updated indictment includes new claims that some protesters scoped out the church the day before the event, hinting at premeditated actions.
Trahern Crews, a leading figure in Black Lives Matter Minnesota, criticized the arrests, arguing that the focus should be on violent incidents rather than peaceful protests. He mentioned recent fatalities linked to ICE officers, pointing out perceived injustices.
The protest occurred during a tense period in Minnesota, marked by Operation Metro Surge, which saw an influx of federal officers amidst rising immigration-related tensions. This operation resulted in various public fraud cases, particularly involving Somali defendants.
Renee Good, the woman mentioned earlier, was among casualties in this crackdown. Her death, along with others, led to widespread protests across the nation, prompting changes in ICE’s operations in the Twin Cities. The area has since felt the economic impacts of these enforcement actions, with Minneapolis estimating a loss of $203 million and increased needs for community support.
In a twist, a woman from the church has filed a lawsuit against several of the charged individuals for emotional distress and restrictions on her religious practice that day.
The situation continues to evolve, reflecting deep societal divides over immigration and civic rights. For more on the implications of these events, you can explore reports from trusted sources like NPR or the ACLU.
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Don Lemon, Pam Bondi, Donald Trump, Minnesota, Indictments, Nekima Armstrong, Alex Pretti, Renee Good, General news, Georgia Fort, Protests and demonstrations, Immigration, MN State Wire, Keith Porter, Doug Wardlow, Trahern Crews, Religion, U.S. news, United States government
