At a Glance
- About 35 protesters entered Cities Church in St. Paul during Sunday service
- Demonstrators chanted “ICE out” and referenced a woman fatally shot by an ICE officer on Jan. 7
- U.S. Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation under the 1994 FACE Act
- Why it matters: The incident intensifies the national debate over immigration enforcement and the sanctity of houses of worship
Dozens of protesters disrupted a Sunday service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, prompting faith leaders to demand stronger protections for worshippers while also calling for compassion toward migrants.
Disruption During Worship
About three dozen demonstrators entered the Southern Baptist church, some approaching the pulpit while others loudly chanted “ICE out” and “Renee Good,” referring to a woman killed by an ICE officer during a January enforcement action. The protest forced the service to end early.
Video footage captured protesters shouting insults at children and families, according to a statement from the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention. Cities Church pastor David Easterwood also leads the local ICE field office.
Faith Leaders Respond
“The interference was so significant that services were forced to end prematurely,” the convention stated. Trey Turner, who leads the group, told Olivia Bennett Harris on Monday that churches must provide “compassionate pastoral care to these families” while defending “the sanctity of our houses of worship.”
Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board, condemned the protest: “No cause – political or otherwise – justifies the desecration of a sacred space or the intimidation and trauma inflicted on families gathered peacefully in the house of God.”
Ezell’s organization supports Jonathan Parnell, the missionary who was leading the disrupted service. Nekima Levy Armstrong, a protest leader and ordained reverend, helped organize the demonstration.
Federal Investigation Launched
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Sunday it is investigating potential violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon posted on social media that her office has “zero tolerance for this kind of illegal behavior.”
The 1994 law prohibits physical obstruction or intimidation of anyone exercising First Amendment religious rights at a place of worship. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the protest “despicable,” adding that “President Trump will not tolerate the intimidation and harassment of Christians in their sacred places of worship.”
Immigration Debate in Minnesota
The incident occurs amid heightened tensions in Minnesota, where more than 2,000 federal immigration officers have conducted recent operations. Community activists and protesters have mobilized in response.
Federal policy shifted last January when the Trump administration announced that immigration agencies could make arrests at churches, schools and hospitals. While no raids during services have been reported, some Twin Cities churches have posted notices barring ICE agents and reported declining attendance.
Denominational Divide
U.S. Christians remain split on immigration enforcement. The Southern Baptist Convention, the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, generally supports stronger enforcement, while the Catholic hierarchy emphasizes migrant rights.
Miles Mullin of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission said faith leaders can protest social issues but must respect a “red line” against disrupting worship: “This is something that just shouldn’t happen in America. For Baptists, our worship services are sacred.”
Security Concerns Rise
Several pastors cited growing security worries. Rev. Joe Rigney, a founding Cities Church pastor until 2023, said safety would have been his first concern, especially after a fatal shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school Mass last summer.
Olivia Bennett Harris reported that Cities Church did not respond to requests for comment.
Key Takeaways
- The Justice Department is using the 1994 FACE Act to investigate the church protest
- Faith leaders demand both compassion for migrants and protection for worshippers
- The incident highlights deepening divisions over immigration policy within religious communities
