Cities Church Protest Arrests: Activists Charged Under FACE Act

The Cities Church protest arrests have captured national headlines this morning following a major federal enforcement operation. On January 22, 2026, federal authorities took three prominent individuals into custody in connection with a disruption at a religious service in St. Paul, Minnesota. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel announced the charges, signaling a strict interpretation of federal statutes regarding the sanctity of places of worship. The arrests stem from a demonstration that occurred earlier this week, targeting a pastor who holds a dual role as a high-ranking immigration official.

Federal Authorities Announce Charges

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the identities of the three individuals during a press briefing. The Department of Justice has charged Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly. Each faces federal prosecution related to the events that unfolded on Sunday, January 18.

Nekima Levy Armstrong serves as a prominent civil rights attorney in the region. She formerly held the position of president of the Minneapolis NAACP. Chauntyll Louisa Allen works as a community organizer and currently sits on the St. Paul Board of Education. The third individual, William Kelly, is an Army veteran and a known activist within the anti-ICE movement.

Agents apprehended the group following an investigation into the Sunday incident. Attorney General Bondi characterized the disruption as a “coordinated attack on a place of worship.” She emphasized that the Department of Justice will utilize all available tools to ensure that religious services proceed without interference. FBI Director Kash Patel echoed these sentiments, stating that the bureau will prioritize the protection of religious institutions from political activism.

Context of the Disruption

The Cities Church protest arrests originate from a confrontation inside the church sanctuary on January 18. Demonstrators entered the building to protest David Easterwood. Easterwood serves as a pastor at Cities Church, but he also acts as the director of the local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office.

Witnesses report that the group disrupted the service by chanting slogans. The demonstrators shouted “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good.” The protest directly referenced the death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother. An ICE officer fatally shot Good in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026. Her death has sparked weeks of unrest and demands for accountability from local activists.

The protesters specifically targeted Easterwood due to his leadership role within the agency responsible for the shooting. They argued that his position as a spiritual leader contradicts his role in deportation operations. However, federal prosecutors argue that the method of protest crossed a legal line. They assert that entering a private religious service to stage a political demonstration violates federal law.

Application of the FACE Act

Prosecutors are applying the FACE Act (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act) to these cases. Congress originally passed this law to protect access to reproductive health clinics. However, the statute also contains provisions that protect houses of worship from obstruction and destruction.

Legal experts note that this represents a significant application of the law. While the government has used the FACE Act to prosecute individuals blocking abortion clinics, using it against protestors inside a church marks a shift in enforcement strategy. The law prohibits the use of force, threat of force, or physical obstruction to injure, intimidate, or interfere with any person lawfully exercising or seeking to exercise the First Amendment right of religious freedom.

By invoking this act, the Department of Justice elevates the charges to a federal level. This decision carries heavier potential penalties than local trespassing or disorderly conduct charges. The move indicates that the administration intends to aggressively police protests that target religious venues, regardless of the underlying political message.

Political Response and Don Lemon Ruling

The Cities Church protest arrests occurred as Vice President JD Vance arrived in Minnesota for a scheduled visit. The Vice President immediately addressed the enforcement action. Vance praised the swift response from federal agents. He stated that protesters who “scare little kids” in places of worship will face prison time “so long as we have the power to do so.” His comments reinforce the administration’s stance on maintaining order within religious institutions.

Conversely, civil rights groups have sharply criticized the arrests. Activists point to a perceived double standard in the justice system. They argue that the Department of Justice moved with extreme speed to arrest non-violent protesters while dragging its feet on the investigation into Renee Good’s death. Community leaders contend that the administration is focusing on silencing dissent rather than addressing the grievances regarding police conduct.

Simultaneously, a related legal drama unfolded regarding the media. A federal magistrate judge rejected an attempt by the Department of Justice to charge journalist Don Lemon. Lemon was present at Cities Church on Sunday to report on the protest. Prosecutors sought to include him in the criminal complaint. However, the judge ruled that Lemon was acting in his capacity as a member of the press. The court found insufficient grounds to charge a journalist for documenting a news event, even if that event involved illegal conduct by others.

Future Legal Implications

These cases will likely set a precedent for future protests. The successful use of the FACE Act in this context could empower federal prosecutors to intervene in other demonstrations at churches, synagogues, or mosques. Legal defense teams for Armstrong, Allen, and Kelly will likely challenge the applicability of the statute. They may argue that their actions constituted protected political speech rather than physical obstruction.

As the legal process moves forward, tensions in the Twin Cities remain high. The community continues to mourn Renee Good, while the arrests of prominent local leaders have galvanized support for the activists. The upcoming court appearances for Armstrong, Allen, and Kelly will serve as the next focal point in this ongoing conflict between federal authority and civil rights activism.