DOJ targets protesters after church disruption in Minnesota
*The Division of Justice has launched an investigation after protesters disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Jan. 18, 2026. Activists interrupted worship at Cities Church, accusing a pastor of ties to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Chants like “ICE out” and “Palms up, Don’t shoot” rang by means of the sanctuary, sparking outrage from church leaders.
Assistant Lawyer Normal for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon introduced that federal fees are being thought-about. She cited violations of the Freedom of Entry to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which protects church buildings from interference. Dhillon stated the actions amounted to “desecrating a home of worship and interfering with Christian worshippers.”
Don Lemon livestreams protest, attracts authorized warmth
Don Lemon, former CNN anchor turned impartial journalist, was on-site in the course of the protest. He adopted demonstrators into the church and livestreamed the occasion on YouTube. Whereas Lemon claimed he was there as a journalist, critics accused him of collaborating within the disruption.
In a press release, Lemon stated he was not a part of the protest. He insisted his function was to doc occasions and supply transparency. Nonetheless, the DOJ has not dominated out doable authorized scrutiny of his involvement underneath federal civil rights legal guidelines.
Harmeet Dhillon places Lemon “on discover” for church entry
Dhillon instantly referred to as out Don Lemon in a publish on X, previously Twitter. She warned that church buildings are protected areas and never open boards for protest or journalism that interferes with worship. Her publish triggered a wave of right-wing backlash towards Lemon.
“A home of worship isn’t a public discussion board to your protest! It’s a house shielded from precisely such acts by federal legal and civil legal guidelines! Nor does the First Modification defend your pseudo-journalism of disrupting a prayer service. You might be on discover!”
Dhillon later appeared on reveals like Benny Johnson’s to reiterate her stance. She confirmed the Civil Rights Division is reviewing the case underneath each the FACE Act and probably the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871.
Protesters focused pastor with ICE accusations
The chaos started when members of the Radical Justice Community entered the church throughout Sunday service. They accused the pastor—reportedly David Easterwood or linked to Jonathan Parnell—of being the performing ICE discipline director in St. Paul. Protesters aimed to name out immigration-related deaths and enforcement practices in Minnesota.
Church leaders condemned the motion as “shameful” and “unacceptable.” The pastor emphasised that the congregation gathered to worship and mustn’t have been focused for political causes. Many worshippers had been reportedly shaken by the interruption.
Don Lemon responds to criticism and on-line threats
Lemon defended his protection in emails and on-line posts. He stated he was unfairly solid because the face of a protest he merely documented. His video confirmed him talking with protesters and the pastor whereas attempting to make clear the details.
“It’s notable that I’ve been solid because the face of a protest I used to be overlaying as a journalist — particularly since I wasn’t the one reporter there,” Lemon wrote.
Lemon additionally revealed that he’s obtained threats and slurs for the reason that video went viral. He attributed a lot of the backlash to politically motivated assaults and bias within the media. He reiterated his help for First Modification protections in his work.
Protest ties to ICE taking pictures of Renee Nicole Good
The demonstration was sparked by the current taking pictures of Renee Nicole Good, a Minnesota girl killed by an ICE officer earlier this month. Her loss of life has ignited protests throughout the state, with activists demanding accountability from immigration businesses.
Lemon pointed to that case as the true situation being missed. He criticized the media and federal officers for specializing in his function fairly than addressing the lethal incident that triggered the motion.
“If this a lot time and power goes to be spent manufacturing outrage, it will be much better used investigating the tragic loss of life of Renee Nicole Good — the very situation that introduced individuals into the streets within the first place,” Lemon wrote.
Why this Don Lemon protest story issues now
This incident highlights rising tensions between civil rights, non secular freedoms, and immigration enforcement. The controversy has drawn nationwide consideration and reignited questions on what qualifies as protected speech. Lemon’s presence added gasoline to the controversy.
With the DOJ exploring critical federal fees and the media cut up over Lemon’s function, this story might reshape how journalists, protesters, and officers work together in delicate areas like church buildings. The implications could ripple far past Minnesota.
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