Latest on the disrupted church service in MN.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A woman who led an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church ( Cities Church, 1524 Summit Ave, St Paul, MN 55105) been arrested, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Thursday.
Bondi announced the arrest of Nekima Levy Armstrong in a post on X days after protesters during Sunday service entered the Cities Church in St. Paul, where a local official (Pastor David Easterwood) with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement serves as a pastor.
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 in Minneapolis earlier this month.
“Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP,” the attorney general wrote on X.
Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and prominent local activist, had called for the pastor affiliated with ICE to resign, saying his dual role poses a “fundamental moral conflict.”
********
I would be interested to hear his justification for working for both God and Caesar? Being that it is a southern baptist church, it is most likely against reproductive freedom, lgbtq rights, and is likely not even too keen about interracial marriages. Basically it's the worst of the worst. If that church disappeared it would be an improvement in the community.
Per the associated press on Jan. 18:
In a Jan. 5 court filing, Easterwood defended ICE’s tactics in Minnesota such as swapping license plates and spraying protesters with chemical irritants. He wrote that federal agents were experiencing increased threats and aggression and crowd control devices like flash-bang grenades were important to protect against violent attacks. He testified that he was unaware of agents “knowingly targeting or retaliating against peaceful protesters or legal observers with less lethal munitions and/or crowd control devices.”
≈========
There are laws prohibit disrupting church services, primarily through federal laws like the Freedom to Access Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which bars physical obstruction or intimidation at religious sites, and state laws against disorderly conduct or disturbing religious meetings, often classifying such interference as a misdemeanor, though specific charges depend on the severity of the disruption and state statutes. While protesters have First Amendment rights, these don't extend to shutting down worship, leading to potential federal civil rights investigations and state charges for trespassing or disturbance.
Criminal Penalties for Violating 18 U.S. Code § 247 (Obstructing Religious Practices)
Non-Violent Obstruction: Up to 1 year in prison and fines.
If Bodily Injury Occurs: Up to 10 years in prison (regardless of first offense).
If Death Results: Up to life in prison.
Property Damage (>$5,000): Fines and imprisonment.
Bondi announced the arrest of Nekima Levy Armstrong in a post on X days after protesters during Sunday service entered the Cities Church in St. Paul, where a local official (Pastor David Easterwood) with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement serves as a pastor.
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 in Minneapolis earlier this month.
“Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP,” the attorney general wrote on X.
Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and prominent local activist, had called for the pastor affiliated with ICE to resign, saying his dual role poses a “fundamental moral conflict.”
********
I would be interested to hear his justification for working for both God and Caesar? Being that it is a southern baptist church, it is most likely against reproductive freedom, lgbtq rights, and is likely not even too keen about interracial marriages. Basically it's the worst of the worst. If that church disappeared it would be an improvement in the community.
Per the associated press on Jan. 18:
In a Jan. 5 court filing, Easterwood defended ICE’s tactics in Minnesota such as swapping license plates and spraying protesters with chemical irritants. He wrote that federal agents were experiencing increased threats and aggression and crowd control devices like flash-bang grenades were important to protect against violent attacks. He testified that he was unaware of agents “knowingly targeting or retaliating against peaceful protesters or legal observers with less lethal munitions and/or crowd control devices.”
≈========
There are laws prohibit disrupting church services, primarily through federal laws like the Freedom to Access Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which bars physical obstruction or intimidation at religious sites, and state laws against disorderly conduct or disturbing religious meetings, often classifying such interference as a misdemeanor, though specific charges depend on the severity of the disruption and state statutes. While protesters have First Amendment rights, these don't extend to shutting down worship, leading to potential federal civil rights investigations and state charges for trespassing or disturbance.
Criminal Penalties for Violating 18 U.S. Code § 247 (Obstructing Religious Practices)
Non-Violent Obstruction: Up to 1 year in prison and fines.
If Bodily Injury Occurs: Up to 10 years in prison (regardless of first offense).
If Death Results: Up to life in prison.
Property Damage (>$5,000): Fines and imprisonment.
