THREE ARRESTED IN MINNESOTA FOLLOWING CHURCH PROTEST. (PHOTO).

 Three arrested in Minnesota following church protest

 A high-profile civil rights attorney and two others were arrested Thursday for their roles in a protest that disrupted services at a Minnesota church, officials said, while charges against journalist Don Lemon related to the incident were dismissed by a judge. The arrests came as Vice President JD Vance visited the state, highlighting tensions over immigration enforcement.

Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights lawyer and activist, was taken into custody first, followed by Chauntyll Louisa Allen and William Kelly. The protest occurred at Cities Church in St. Paul on Sunday, where one of the pastors also works for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Demonstrators chanted slogans demanding accountability for the recent death of Renee Good, a local mother killed by an ICE officer, prompting the Justice Department to launch a civil rights investigation. Officials warned that such actions targeting places of worship will not be tolerated.

Levy Armstrong has been a long-time activist in the Twin Cities, known for her involvement in protests following police killings of Black Americans, including George Floyd. Allen and Levy Armstrong are part of a broader activist community opposing police and federal enforcement actions. Kelly defended the protest, criticizing the church for its association with ICE.

Federal authorities charged Levy Armstrong under statutes prohibiting intimidation of those exercising legal rights, while Allen faced charges related to obstructing access to a house of worship. The arrests drew support from church representatives and the Southern Baptist Convention, emphasizing that protests cannot justify disrupting religious services.

The Justice Department’s swift action contrasted with its decision not to open a civil rights investigation into Good’s death, which officials said involved self-defense by the ICE officer. Authorities have also issued subpoenas to state and local officials in Minnesota to investigate possible interference with federal immigration enforcement.

Separately, Lemon, who was present to report on the protest, was not charged after a magistrate judge determined his actions fell within journalistic activity. Federal authorities may still pursue other legal avenues, but for now, Lemon is cleared of wrongdoing.

Vance, speaking ahead of his Minnesota visit, warned the protesters they could face prison time and called on local authorities to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, citing unrest and obstruction in the Minneapolis area. Recent federal court rulings have temporarily limited certain law enforcement actions against protesters, though officials continue to enforce immigration laws amid ongoing tensions.