Protests at Churches Linked to Anti-ICE Activist

In recent events, a well-known anti-ICE protester, William Kelly—also known as “DaWokeFarmer” on TikTok—was involved in a chaotic incident at a church in the Twin Cities. This altercation happened on a Sunday, creating quite a stir. Reports indicate that Kelly shouted slogans such as “Bring out ICE” and “Justice for Renee Good” in front of stunned congregants while one pastor tried to assert authority by claiming he was acting as ICE’s St. Paul field office director.

Interestingly, an anonymous member of Christ Church in Washington, D.C., identified Kelly as a frequent antagonist who has harassed church families. They described how Kelly has taken to verbally abusing congregation members, including derogatory remarks aimed at women and children.

The churchgoer explained, “He’s regularly outside, shouting these awful things.” It sounds pretty disheartening, doesn’t it? The harassment reportedly started around September or October, with Kelly allegedly taking time off for road trips after his arrest by the Secret Service in December.

It seems Kelly’s antics have gained him notoriety, especially after a “social media investigation” that revealed more about his identity to the public. His TikTok account boasts around 66,000 followers, and he often posts videos that vocally oppose ICE and various government officials.

Joe Rigney, an associate pastor at Christ Church, noted that Kelly has been part of ongoing disruptions during services, often accompanied by other protestors with similar motives. Rigney remarked on Kelly’s aggressive behavior, explaining how he pursued congregants to their cars, using foul language aimed at both adults and children alike.

While congregants wish to practice their faith peacefully, they have expressed concern over the profane interruptions. One church member acknowledged, albeit reluctantly, that children are learning about such language through these protests, which isn’t exactly the lesson they hoped for.

U.S. Army officials have also connected Kelly to this disruptive behavior, underscoring that such protests have been persistent. Despite the presence of local law enforcement, complaints continue to arise regarding a lack of action when disruptive behavior occurs.

In the background of these protests, tensions have risen following an incident involving the shooting of a man named Good by ICE agents, with protestors believing a local pastor associated with their church is closely tied to ICE operations.

Kelly has taken to social media to express his views on these events, framing them within a broader critique of systemic issues. His more recent TikTok posts reflect frustration at what he sees as hypocrisy in church leadership while also calling into question the treatment of immigrants.

As the Justice Department looks into these incidents, it’s evident that tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and community reaction are far from resolved.