Anti-ICE Protesters Storm Minnesota Church During Sunday Service
Protesters stormed a church in St. Paul, Minnesota during Sunday worship. They accused one of its pastors of secretly leading federal immigration enforcement in the state. The disruption unfolded at Cities Church amid nationwide outrage over the killing of Renee Nicole Good.
Protesters Confront Congregants Over ICE Allegations
Anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement activists burst into the sanctuary. They chanted slogans like "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good." The group included members from Black Lives Matter Minnesota and the Racial Justice Network.
Demonstrators alleged that pastor David Easterwood leads the ICE St. Paul field office. They pointed to his listing on the church's website. Protesters urged the congregation to reject what they called a moral contradiction at the heart of the church.
Background: The Killing of Renee Good Sparks Outrage
Renee Nicole Good was a 37-year-old American woman and mother of three. An ICE agent fatally shot her earlier this month in Minneapolis. Good was a local community activist.
Her death occurred during a federal enforcement action. It has triggered protests across the United States. Demonstrations have erupted from New York to Seattle. Protesters rail against what they describe as unchecked federal power and the use of lethal force.
Church Leadership and Federal Response
Lead pastor Jonathan Parnell condemned the intrusion as shameful. He urged those not there to worship to leave immediately. The protest inside the church was livestreamed and shared widely on social media platforms.
The US Department of Justice announced an investigation into the incident. Officials will examine whether demonstrators violated federal civil rights laws by disrupting religious services. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon framed the incident as a potential offense against the free exercise of religion.
Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed that any breaches of federal law would face prosecution. The incident has further strained relations between federal authorities and Minnesota civic leadership.
DHS and Political Reactions
Department of Homeland Security officials called the recent protests concerning. They noted that agitators are now targeting places of worship where agents may be present. DHS reposted one of the church protest videos on X with a strong statement.
The statement read: "Agitators aren't just targeting our officers. Now they're targeting churches, too. They're going from hotel to hotel, church to church, hunting for federal law enforcement who are risking their lives to protect Americans."
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz have criticized federal immigration tactics. They accuse ICE of racial profiling and escalating tensions in local communities.
Protesters Defend Their Actions
Participants in the protest defended their actions as necessary civil disobedience. They insist the killing of Good and broader ICE operations demand a moral reckoning from communities, including religious ones. They describe facing systemic injustice that requires direct action.
The incident highlights growing tensions over immigration enforcement in America. It shows how protests are moving beyond traditional venues into spaces of worship and community gathering.
