3 people involved in Minnesota church protest arrested; judge rejects charges against journalist

"MINNEAPOLIS A prominent civil rights attorney and at least two other people involved in an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church have been arrested, Trump administration officials said Thursday, even as a judge rebuffed related charges against journalist Don Lemon. The developments unfolded as Vice President JD Vance arrived in the state. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest of Nekima Levy Armstrong in a post on X."

"On Sunday, protesters entered the Cities Church in St. Paul, where a local official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement serves as a pastor. Bondi later posted on X that a second person had been arrested, followed by a third arrested announced by FBI Director Kash Patel. The Justice Department quickly opened a civil rights investigation after the group interrupted services by chanting "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good," referring to the 37-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE officer"

"Cities Church belongs to the Southern Baptist Convention and lists one of its pastors as David Easterwood, who leads the local ICE field office. Many Baptist churches have pastors who also work other jobs. Attorneys representing the church hailed the arrests. "The U.S. Department of Justice acted decisively by arresting those who coordinated and carried out the terrible crime," said Doug Wardlow, director of litigation for True North Legal, which calls itself a public interest civil rights firm, in a statement."

Nekima Levy Armstrong and at least two others were arrested after protesters entered Cities Church in St. Paul and disrupted a service. The church lists David Easterwood, who leads the local ICE field office, as one of its pastors. Protesters chanted "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good," referring to a 37-year-old mother of three fatally shot by an ICE officer earlier in Minneapolis. The Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X that attacks on places of worship will not be tolerated. Attorneys for the church praised the arrests. A judge rebuffed related charges against journalist Don Lemon.

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