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St. Paul protest charges
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 Pam Bondi announced federal charges Friday against 30 more people accused of civil rights violations during a January protest inside Cities Church in St. Paul, where the pastor works for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Bondi said on social media that 25 of the accused were in custody and additional arrests were expected.”
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.
This expansion follows earlier charges in the same incident.
Religious-worship charges
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.
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.
Protest over ICE ties
Prosecutors and several news outlets placed the demonstration in the specific context that sparked it.
“The Jan. 18 protest followed revelations that one of the church’s pastors, David Easterwood, also worked for ICE. The article notes text messages and a reporter’s online search helped identify that connection.”
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.
Charges and reactions
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.
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.
Indictments and court responses
Following the indictments, federal defendants made initial court appearances in multiple districts.
“Many made their first court appearances Friday and were released with conditions.”
Many were released with conditions or on personal-recognizance bonds and were ordered to stay away from Cities Church.
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.