3 arrests made in anti-ICE protest at Minnesota church, but no charges for journalist Don Lemon

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that three people involved in staging an anti-ICE protest in the middle of a Twin Cities church have been arrested.

Nekima Levy Armstrong, the organizer of “the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota” and Chauntyll Louisa Allen are the first to be taken into custody following last Sunday’s disruption inside Cities Church where protesters marched down the church aisle chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” referring to an anti-ICE protester who was fatally shot by an ICE agent.

Armstrong targeted Cities Church because of the pastor’s affiliation to ICE and was seeking his resignation.

Allen has been charged with conspiracy to deprive rights, while Armstrong was charged with a federal crime under 18 USC 241.

“You cannot lead a congregation while directing an agency whose actions have cost lives and inflicted fear in our communities,” Armstrong said on Tuesday.

”When officials protect armed agents, repeatedly refuse meaningful investigation into killings like Renée Good’s, and signal they may pursue peaceful protesters and journalists, that is not justice — it is intimidation.”

A third arrest was also announced Thursday afternoon.

William Kelly posted a video on social media this week that Bondi intended to charge him.

Bondi shared the video after announcing his arrest and wrote, "Ok."

Kelly was also charged with conspiracy to deprive rights.

"Our nation was settled and founded by people fleeing religious persecution. Religious freedom is the bedrock of this country. We will protect our pastors. We will protect our churches. We will protect Americans of faith," Bondi said.

Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told The National News Desk on Thursday that he believes this case is an uphill battle for the Justice Department.

"I think this is going to be a tough case for the DOJ because there is that First Amendment defense that these defendants have and believe me; they're going to defend this case and fight it the whole way," Rahmani said.

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