The Trump administration on Friday announced new federal charges against 30 additional people who allegedly participated in the break-in at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, during an anti-ICE protest on January 18.
Prosecutor Pam Bondi said 25 of the defendants have already been arrested, and more are expected to be detained.In a post on social media, Bondi described the disruption of the worship service as “an attack on a house of worship,” warning that “we will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you.” She added that the Department of Justice “stands for Christians and all religious Americans.”
The expansion of the indictment brings the total number charged in the case to 39 individuals, all of whom are charged with conspiracy against religious freedom and interference with the right to religious worship under federal law.The defendants include many prominent figures, including independent journalists and activists such as Don Lemon, Georgia Forte, and Nikema Levy Armstrong. All have pleaded not guilty to civil rights charges.
What happened in the Church of the Cities?
Protesters entered the cities church during Sunday’s mass, chanting against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demanding accountability in the wake of federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota.
The demonstration reportedly broke out after activists learned that one of the church’s pastors also works as a local Immigration and Customs Enforcement official.According to the indictment, the group carried out a “coordinated takeover-style attack,” disrupting and terrorizing worshipers, including children.The case has attracted widespread political attention, with conservative leaders and Justice Department officials condemning the protest, while supporters of the protesters have raised questions about freedom of expression and press freedoms.The development comes amid broader tensions in Minnesota over federal immigration enforcement operations and protests sparked by the killing of civilians during ICE proceedings earlier this year.
