Church Protest in Minnesota Leads to Nine Federal Indictments, Including Journalist Don Lemon
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, concerning immigration policies has resulted in federal charges against nine individuals, including former CNN host Don Lemon. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced two additional arrests on Monday, bringing the total number of those indicted to nine. The charges stem from a January 18th demonstration that disrupted a church service.
The Arrests and Charges
The nine individuals were named in a grand jury indictment unsealed on Friday. Among those arrested are independent journalist Don Lemon and Georgia Fort. Earlier in the week, three others were taken into custody, including Nekima Levy Armstrong, a prominent local activist. All nine face federal civil rights charges of conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshippers.
The protest centered around the fact that a pastor at Cities Church also serves as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” referencing the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. The incident sparked strong reactions from the Trump administration.
Details of the Indictment
According to the indictment, Ian Davis Austin and Jerome Deangelo Richardson were the latest to be arrested, as announced by Attorney General Bondi on Monday. The indictment alleges that Richardson traveled to the church with Lemon while Lemon was livestreaming the event, and that Richardson urged Lemon to catch up with the other protesters. It further alleges that Austin stood in the church aisles and aggressively questioned a pastor about Christian nationalism.
Don Lemon, who was fired from CNN in 2023, maintains he had no affiliation with the group that disrupted the service and describes himself as an independent journalist documenting the protest. He was observed streaming the event.
Legal Representation and Investigation
Online jail records confirm Austin’s arrest on Friday, while the timing of Richardson’s arrest remains unclear. Austin’s attorney, Sarah Gad, has not yet issued a comment. Court records do not currently list legal representation for Richardson. The Justice Department initiated its investigation immediately following the disruption of the church service.
Cities Church and its Connection to ICE
Cities Church is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. One of its pastors, David Easterwood, also leads ICE’s St. Paul field office. This connection fueled the protesters’ concerns and contributed to the intensity of the demonstration.
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