Activist Arrested Following Minnesota Church Disruption, Bondi Reports

Federal authorities arrested civil rights lawyer and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong on Thursday following a protest that disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Armstrong faces charges of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which prohibits interference with religious services at places of worship. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that Armstrong allegedly played a key role in organizing what officials described as a “coordinated attack” on Cities Church.

“Minutes ago at my direction, HSI and FBI agents executed an arrest in Minnesota,” Bondi wrote on social media platform X. “Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP.”

The arrest follows an incident on Sunday when dozens of anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protesters stormed the church during an ongoing service. Video footage from the scene showed protesters shouting at congregants, including children, disrupting the worship service.

Armstrong, who describes herself on her website as a “scholar-activist” as well as a civil rights attorney, had continued to publicly criticize the church as recently as Wednesday. She claimed in social media posts that one of the church’s pastors holds a leadership position with ICE, a connection she presented as a “conflict of interest.”

The protest is part of a broader movement against the federal government’s recent intensified immigration enforcement in Minnesota. Federal authorities have increased their presence in the Twin Cities area to address what they describe as widespread fraud related to immigration.

Cities Church pastor Jonathan Parnell condemned the protesters’ actions in a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing that the congregation had gathered simply “to worship Jesus.”

The incident has sparked debate about the boundaries between protest rights and religious freedom. The FACE Act, enacted in 1994, was originally designed to protect access to reproductive health care facilities but also includes provisions protecting places of worship from disruption or intimidation.

Armstrong has been involved in various activist causes prior to this incident. She has organized boycotts against Target over the retailer’s decision to scale back its diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Her activism has frequently centered on civil rights issues, though critics have characterized some of her positions as far-left.

In September, Armstrong drew additional controversy when she praised Joanne Chesimard (also known as Assata Shakur) on social media. Chesimard was convicted in the 1977 murder of State Trooper Werner Foerster but later escaped prison and fled to Cuba, where she received political asylum. Armstrong described Chesimard as “a brave, wise, powerful, and revolutionary Black woman.”

The arrest comes amid heightened tensions around immigration enforcement nationwide. The Biden administration has faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum regarding border policies and enforcement actions. Immigration advocates have condemned increased ICE operations as harmful to immigrant communities, while others have called for stricter enforcement of immigration laws.

Legal experts note that cases involving the FACE Act can raise complex questions about the balance between First Amendment protections and the right to worship without interference. The Department of Justice has historically been selective in pursuing FACE Act cases, typically reserving them for incidents considered particularly disruptive or threatening.

Federal authorities have indicated that the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests may follow as they continue to review evidence from the church incident.