Two Released After Federal Arrests Over Protest Inside St. Paul Church — Charges, Video and Controversy Explained

Two of the three people federally arrested after a protest that interrupted a Sunday service at Cities Church in St. Paul were released from custody on Friday, their attorneys told CNN. Civil rights lawyer Nekima Levy Armstrong and community organizer Chauntyll Louisa Allen were freed after legal fights that the NAACP described as involving prosecutors' "aggressive attempts" to delay release.

What Happened

According to court filings and media interviews, protesters entered Cities Church during a Sunday service to call attention to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity and to protest the agency's tactics following the death of Renee Good. The group characterized the action as peaceful; prosecutors and some congregants described it as frightening and disruptive.

Sequence Of Events

An affidavit unsealed Friday says protesters met in a shopping center parking lot that morning to discuss the action—what one participant called "Operation Pullup"—and then drove to the church. Although the camera that recorded portions of the pre-protest meeting did not go inside the sanctuary, an individual brought audio equipment that captured sound from within. The affidavit says one protester interrupted the service about one minute and 47 seconds after entering.

Levy Armstrong, an ordained clergywoman and former Minneapolis NAACP president, told CNN she and others sat through the preacher's sermon and then challenged him about David Easterwood, who is listed on church materials as a pastor and is believed by protesters to be associated with ICE in the Twin Cities. She said the pastor responded with the words 'Shame, shame,' and that she then led chants including 'Justice for Renee Good' and 'Hands up, don’t shoot.' Video obtained by CNN shows chanting inside the sanctuary and congregants standing and responding.

Videos from a Facebook Live by activist group Black Lives Matter Minnesota on Sunday show the moment a group of protesters disrupted services at a church in St. Paul where they say a local official with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement serves as a pastor. - Black Lives Matter Minnesota

Allegations, Injuries And Police Response

The affidavit and investigators' interviews describe parishioners who were alarmed and who tried to leave; several people reportedly fell while exiting and one person broke an arm. Some worshippers said they feared for children in an on-site daycare. St. Paul police said officers responded to multiple calls reporting up to 40 people inside the church; the protesters later moved outside. The police are investigating the incident as potential disorderly conduct.

Federal Charges And Legal Issues

Three people—Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen and William Kelly—were arrested Thursday and charged in unsealed arrest warrants with conspiracy to deprive rights, a federal felony that can carry up to 10 years in prison. Prosecutors initially sought to add counts under the FACE Act, a federal statute that criminalizes using force or threats to interfere with the free exercise of religion at a place of worship, but a magistrate judge struck the FACE Act allegation for lack of probable cause. Prosecutors could still seek a grand jury indictment on that or other counts.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who runs the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, posted that her office was investigating and described the incident as interference with Christian worshippers. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrests on X. Local officials reacted strongly as well: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the arrest of a protester 'a gross abuse of power' while other federal officials framed the action as unacceptable disruption of a house of worship.

Responses And Controversies

The arrests drew national attention and sharp statements from both supporters and critics. Defense attorneys called the case political and argued the protesters were exercising speech and civil protest. Prosecutors say the defendants agreed to prevent worshippers from exercising religious freedom.

Cites Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Thursday. - Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Another controversy followed the arrests when the White House posted an altered image of Levy Armstrong on X that made it appear she was crying; the original image showed a neutral expression. The White House later linked to a post from a spokesperson that appeared to acknowledge the altered post. Levy Armstrong's lawyers condemned the altered image as defamation.

The case also drew scrutiny of journalist Don Lemon, who recorded himself at the protest and said he was acting as a reporter. A magistrate judge rejected an early Justice Department attempt to charge Lemon for appearing with protesters, though the DOJ could revisit charging decisions.

Context

The arrests occur amid intensified federal immigration enforcement in the region and ongoing local outrage following the death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent. Acting ICE director Todd Lyons said more charges could follow and described the protesters in strong terms during media interviews.

Outlook

The legal case is active and evolving: prosecutors may pursue additional charges, seek a grand jury indictment, or adjust their approach. Meanwhile, the incident has prompted investigation by federal civil-rights officials, local police inquiries, and debate over the balance between protest and protection of religious worship.

Note: All descriptions above come from court filings, statements by the parties involved, law-enforcement accounts and reporting by CNN. Details and legal findings may change as the case proceeds.