On Sunday, former CNN personality Don Lemon joined a group of activists protesting a Christian church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Officials from the White House and the Justice Department have indicated that those who disrupted services and threatened worshippers while shouting about Lenny Goode—who had killed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers—might soon face consequences.
Disruption At The Altar
Members of the Racial Justice Network, Black Lives Matter Minnesota, and BLM Twin Cities gathered for an “ICE Out Action.” Instead of targeting ICE operations, they entered Cities Church, trying to drown out the worship.
“Cathedrals are not public spaces for protest activities!”
Nekima Levy Armstrong, who founded the Racial Justice Network and previously led the NAACP branch in Minneapolis, criticized Cities Church for causing chaos: “David Easterwood, the pastor, has connections to ICE operations here in St. Paul.”
The same David Easterwood was seen in a Department of Homeland Security press conference last October and even appears on the church’s website. Blaze News has reached out to both ICE and Cities Church for remarks.
“Justice must start,” Armstrong remarked.
The group ignored requests from church leaders to leave, instead shouting and chanting throughout the service.
In a video addressing the crowd’s actions, Armstrong said, “A man who claims to worship God is overseeing ICE agents. Think about what we’ve experienced: Renee Good was murdered by ICE. He was a Venezuelan citizen killed by the agency.”
Some have noted Lemon’s previous remarks urging “black and brown people” to confront ICE. He asserted that identifying when protests can happen isn’t covered in the constitution. “You can protest anytime,” he affirmed, acknowledging the discomfort these actions may cause.
Reverend Jonathan Parnell spoke out against the mob’s tactics, calling their disruption of a Christian gathering “unacceptable” and “shameful.”
Federal Reaction
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt stated, “President Trump will not tolerate intimidation or harassment in sacred places of worship.” The Department of Justice has initiated a thorough investigation into what occurred at the church.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Harmeet Dhillon, announced they are probing possible legal violations due to the disruption of worship. Notably, the FBI has also begun to take action.
The Freedom of Access to Clinics Enforcement Act (FACE Act), typically invoked against pro-life activists, also forbids the use of force or threats to impede anyone exercising their First Amendment rights in a religious setting. Violators may face prison time, hefty fines, or civil suits.
Dhillon countered Lemon’s defense by emphasizing, “Houses of worship are not venues for protest! They are protected from such actions by federal law!”
Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed this sentiment after meeting church leaders: “We will confront threats to both law enforcement and Christians with all necessary legal measures.”
