Protesters Interrupt Church Service, Prompting Response From the Department of Justice
Posted on 01/21/26 at 22:34
- Protest Disrupts Church Service
- DOJ Promises Charges
- ICE at the Center of the Controversy
According to CNN, the United States Department of Justice announced that it is investigating a group of protesters in Minnesota.
The investigation follows the disruption of a religious service at a church in St. Paul.
Authorities said activists interrupted the ceremony during Sunday worship.
The church involved is Cities Church, located in St. Paul.
The case has sparked a strong political and social reaction.
The controversy centers on the fact that one of the church’s pastors is allegedly a local official with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Protest During Religious Service in St. Paul
A livestream video was posted on the Facebook page of Black Lives Matter Minnesota.
The footage shows a group of people entering the church during the service.
Protesters shouted slogans such as “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good.”
Renee Good was a 37-year-old woman and mother of three.
She was shot and killed by an ICE agent.
The incident occurred earlier this month in Minneapolis.
Her death took place amid an increase in federal immigration enforcement operations.
Protest organizers stated that the action was deliberate.
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They allege that one of the church’s pastors, David Easterwood, leads the local ICE office.
According to them, that office oversees operations involving violent tactics and unlawful arrests.
The Cities Church website identifies Easterwood as a pastor.
His information matches that of a David Easterwood mentioned in court documents.
In those records, he appears as the acting director of the ICE office in St. Paul.
Easterwood was also seen alongside Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
This occurred during a press conference in Minneapolis last October.
Department of Justice Warning After Protest Disrupts Church Service
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon addressed the issue publicly.
She stated that potential federal civil rights violations are being investigated.
She said the case involves individuals who “desecrate a house of worship.”
She noted that the disruption interfered with Christian worshippers.
Dhillon emphasized that a church is not a public forum for protests.
She added that such spaces are protected under federal law.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also commented on social media.
She assured that any violation of federal law would be prosecuted.
The Department of Justice did not specify what charges could be filed.
It also did not clarify the scope of the ongoing investigation into the Cities Church incident.
ICE released a statement following the incident.
The agency said protesters are now “also targeting churches.”
It claimed federal agents are being harassed.
ICE stated that its officers risk their lives to protect Americans.
Activist Response and Case Background
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Nekima Levy Armstrong rejected the Department of Justice’s position.
Armstrong participated in the protest and leads the Racial Justice Network.
She described the investigation as a distraction.
She said it diverts attention from ICE’s actions in the region.
She argued that it is inconceivable for someone overseeing raids to also serve as a pastor.
She added that she herself is an ordained reverend.
Armstrong questioned the moral priorities of those criticizing the protest.
Monique Cullars-Doty, cofounder of Black Lives Matter Minnesota, also spoke out.
She said the federal government’s response is misguided.
She stated that activists cannot remain silent in such circumstances.
Cities Church did not respond to requests for comment.
It was not possible to reach David Easterwood directly.
In a court filing dated January 5, Easterwood defended ICE tactics.
He referenced license plate changes and the use of chemical agents.
He argued that agents face growing threats.
He said crowd-control devices are necessary for officer safety.
He denied knowledge of retaliation against peaceful protesters.
The case remains under federal review.
Meanwhile, the debate over protest, faith, and immigration enforcement continues amid this ICE church protest investigation.
