More Arrests Made in January Church Protest
Authorities have arrested two additional individuals linked to the January incident at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
On January 18, a group of around 30 to 40 demonstrators disrupted services at the church. Activists aimed to protest federal immigration measures and specifically targeted the church after a pastor’s involvement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was made public.
“If you riot in a place of worship, we will find you,” warned Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The protest was organized by various groups, including the Racial Justice Network and Black Lives Matter Minnesota.
On January 22, the first arrest occurred; Homeland Security and FBI agents apprehended Nekima Levi Armstrong, a key figure in the Racial Justice Network. Another protest leader, Chauntil Louisa Allen, was arrested the same day.
Recently, Bondi announced the arrests of several others, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon and independent journalist Georgia Fort. Two more suspects identified as Traherne Gene Cruz and Jamael Rydell Lundy were also implicated in the unrest.
In her announcement, Bondi indicated that two more individuals, Ian Davis Austin and Jerome DeAngelo Richardson, were arrested in connection with the incident.
Austin is reportedly accused of intimidating church attendees and disrupting their movement during the protest. Details reveal he allegedly approached the pastor aggressively, although his attorney has not commented on the matter.
Richardson, a 21-year-old student at Temple University, has claimed he was assisting Lemon during his visit. He expressed concern that he is being targeted by the administration due to his involvement and has created a fundraising effort for his legal defense, aiming for $16,000 and already raising nearly $13,000.
While details on the specific charges against Austin and Richardson have yet to be disclosed, prior arrests have highlighted charges linked to obstructing access to cultural spaces under federal law. Multiple individuals have been charged in relation to the church protest.
Notably, a total of nine individuals have faced charges stemming from this incident.
