Federal authorities have significantly escalated their response to a disruptive anti-ICE demonstration at a Minnesota church, unsealing indictments against 30 additional individuals. The U.S. Department of Justice announced these charges on Friday, revealing that federal agents have already apprehended 25 of the newly named defendants, with Attorney General Pam Bondi promising further arrests.
This case stems from a January 18th incident at Cities Church in St. Paul, where protesters stormed a worship service chanting “ICE out” and demanding “Justice for Renee Good” – a mother of three fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis. The demonstration created chaotic scenes within the Southern Baptist Convention-affiliated church as congregants and protesters confronted each other.
Among those initially charged was former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who along with nine others pleaded not guilty to civil rights violations. Lemon maintained he was performing his journalistic duties by live-streaming the event as an independent reporter covering the protest.
The newly unsealed indictment alleges all 39 defendants conspired against religious freedom at a place of worship through “acts of oppression, intimidation, threats, interference, and physical obstruction.” Federal prosecutors characterize the event as a “coordinated takeover-style attack” that disrupted religious services.
Attorney General Bondi emphasized the government’s stance in a social media statement: “YOU CANNOT ATTACK A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. If you do so, you cannot hide from us — we will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you. This Department of Justice STANDS for Christians and all Americans of faith.”
Doug Wardlow, legal representative for Cities Church, welcomed the additional charges, stating they “send a clear message: houses of worship are off limits for those who would use chaos and intimidation to advance a political agenda.” He noted the protest had left congregants, including children, fearing for their safety.
The demonstration occurred within a tense three-week period that saw two protest-related fatalities – both individuals opposing the Trump administration’s since-concluded immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota.