Anti-ICE protesters who disrupted Minnesota church service avoid state charges

A Minnesota attorney said dozens of anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protesters will not face state charges for their disruption of a Minnesota church service earlier this year.

The 39 protesters are facing federal civil rights charges for disrupting the church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, in January. The charges came after a livestreamed video showed them interrupting services at Cities Church by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good," after the protesters learned that one of the church pastors was also an ICE official.

St. Paul City Attorney Irene Kao said in a statement Wednesday that evidence is "insufficient to meet that standard for criminal charges under Minnesota state statutes,” noting that no violence, destruction of property or threats to public safety were made during the demonstration, according to NBC News.

“This decision should not be interpreted as an endorsement of unlawful behavior or public disorder,” Kao said. “The right to peacefully protest is protected, as is the right to exercise one’s religious beliefs. Balancing these equally important rights is paramount to our decision today.”

Cities Church lead pastor Jonathan Parnell rejected Kao's decision in a statement, and said that by her logic, merely calling something a protest was enough to avoid state charges.

“According to the St. Paul City Attorney’s logic, it is perfectly fine for agitators to invade a mosque, a cathedral, or a temple, intimidate the families and children inside, and shut down their religious gathering," he said. "Just call it a ‘protest.'"

Independent journalist Don Lemon was among those charged in the protest, but Lemon has maintained that he was covering the event and not participating in it. He has been charged with conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshipers.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.