ST. PAUL, Minnesota — The St. Paul City Attorney’s Office has declined to file state criminal charges against demonstrators who interrupted a church service earlier this year to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leaving dozens of participants facing only federal charges.
City Attorney Irene Kao announced Tuesday that prosecutors reviewed video footage, police reports, and other evidence from the January protest at Cities Church before determining there was insufficient evidence to support criminal charges under Minnesota law.
The protest targeted Cities Church because one of its pastors also serves in a leadership role with ICE. Federal authorities have charged 39 individuals in connection with the incident, including civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, former CNN anchor Don Lemon, and independent journalist Georgia Fort. The defendants face allegations involving federal civil rights laws and interference with religious worship.
Kao emphasized that the decision should not be viewed as approval of disruptive behavior. She stated that prosecutors found no evidence of violence, property damage, or threats to public safety, factors that influenced the decision not to pursue state charges.
Several defendants welcomed the announcement. Levy Armstrong said the decision reflected a fair review of the available evidence and rejected what she described as political pressure to bring charges.
Church leaders strongly disagreed. Lead Pastor Jonathan Parnell criticized the decision, arguing that religious gatherings should receive equal protection regardless of faith tradition. He questioned whether similar disruptions at other houses of worship would have been treated differently.
Federal prosecutions against the demonstrators remain ongoing, with several defendants arguing that their actions were protected by the First Amendment.
Sources:
- CBS Minnesota – MBFC Rating
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
