Attorney General Pam Bondi Indicts 30 More People Over Minnesota Church Protest Against ICE

The Justice Department unsealed an indictment on Feb. 27 charging 30 additional people in connection with a Jan. 18 anti-ICE protest that disrupted a service at Cities Church in St. Paul, bringing the total number of defendants to 39.

“Attorney general announces indictment against 30 more people who protested at a Minnesota church Attorney General Pam Bondi announced charges Friday against 30 more people who are accused of civil rights violations in a January protest inside a Minnesota church where a pastor works for Immigration and Customs Enforcement”

41 NBC Macon

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the new federal charges and said on social media that 25 of the newly named defendants had been arrested and that further arrests were expected.

41 NBC Macon

This expansion follows earlier charges in the same incident.

Federal prosecutors say the defendants face crimes tied to religious-worship safety, including conspiracy against religious freedom and interfering with the right to religious freedom.

The new counts were filed under statutes prosecutors have used to bar forceful entry into houses of worship, with one local report noting the government invoked the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act in the expanded indictment.

Al Jazeera

Prosecutors and church lawyers described the incident in language such as a "coordinated takeover-style attack," while the indictments allege intimidation and premeditation, including reconnaissance the day before.

Prosecutors and several news outlets placed the demonstration in the specific context that sparked it.

“30 more linked to church protest charged Attorney General Pam Bondi announced charges Friday against 30 more people who are accused of civil rights violations in a January protest inside a Minnesota church where a pastor works for Immigration and Customs Enforcement”

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Congregants learned that one of the church's pastors worked for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, identified in reporting as David Easterwood.

Protesters livestreamed an entry that included chants like "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good" after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE-involved officer earlier that month.

Reporting also ties the protest to the broader federal Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities.

Several high-profile defendants, including Nekima Levy Armstrong, Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, have pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors and the church’s lawyers have described the event as an assault on worshippers.

Associated Press

The Justice Department and Bondi used strong rhetoric.

Bondi said the Justice Department “STANDS for Christians and all Americans of faith” and warned that attacks on houses of worship would be prosecuted.

Some defendants say they were covering or protesting ICE policy, not committing civil‑rights crimes.

Church counsel praised the expanded charges.

Critics and some activists argue the prosecutions are aimed at silencing opposition.

Following the indictments, federal defendants made initial court appearances in multiple districts.

“DOJ charges 30 more people in Minnesota anti-ICE church protest The US Department of Justice announced Friday that 30 more people are being charged for their roles in an anti-ICE protest staged last month at a church in Minnesota”

BBC

Many were released with conditions or on personal-recognizance bonds and were ordered to stay away from Cities Church.

BBC

The expanded prosecutions prompted civil litigation from at least one congregant alleging emotional harm.

Authorities said more arrests were expected as the Justice Department continued to execute the multi-state indictments.