Minneapolis community leaders and residents rallied at the federal courthouse the morning of Jan. 22 in support of local activists arrested by the FBI for their alleged involvement in a St. Paul church protest that has drawn national attention.
Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong and activist Chauntyll Allen were arrested by federal law enforcement earlier that morning and are currently being held in connection with a protest at Cities Church. The demonstration took place after it was revealed that the church’s pastor also serves as Minnesota’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director. Activist William Kelly was also arrested for his role in the protest but is being tried at a separate courthouse.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi acknowledged the arrests in a post on X, writing that “more will come.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also shared multiple photos of the three activists in custody, stating they would be charged with “federal crimes” and asserting that “there is no First Amendment right to obstruct someone from practicing their religion.”
The arrests prompted immediate backlash from elected officials and community members. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly called for Armstrong’s release.
“I’m 61 years old, and it feels like everything is going backward,” said community member Michael Palmer, a longtime friend of Armstrong, who became emotional while speaking to reporters. “I read about this in the ’50s and ’60s, and now it’s like we’re reliving it. [Armstrong and Allen] always showed up for us… always. Now it’s time for us to show up for them.”
Community activist Rosemary Nevils echoed those sentiments, urging supporters to remain visible. “People need to know there is power in numbers,” Nevils said. “It’s important people show up early, by the thousands, to let them know nobody is fearful.” Nevils, who is close to both women, said Armstrong called her the night before the arrest and sounded “distressed.” “Nobody is running away,” she added. “We’re going to get justice in this city.”
According to Armstrong’s husband, Marques, both women were taken from the A Lofts Hotel early Thursday morning after federal agents entered through the back of the building.
“We’ve received so many phone calls and messages filled with love and support, and I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart and the top of my feet,” Marques said. “Please continue to pray for us, but understand, this is not our first rodeo. We’ve received threats on our lives since we began this work.”
Attorneys said federal officers had been surveilling the hotel since the night before and mistakenly tackled and arrested an unidentified woman, believing she was Armstrong. Minneapolis civil rights attorney Jordan Kushner, who represents Armstrong, said the woman was released after agents realized the error and confirmed she is safe.
“This is not a legitimate prosecution, this is political persecution,” Kushner said during a press conference outside the courthouse. “I’ve been practicing law for 34 and a half years. I’ve seen unjust prosecutions, but nothing on the scale of what we’re seeing here.”
Armstrong and Allen appeared for their first court hearings that Thursday morning. A judge initially ruled to dismiss specific charges and ordered their release. However, the Department of Justice filed an appeal, and the case was reassigned to a new judge.
One of the central flaws cited by the initial judge was prosecutors’ failure to produce arrest warrants, either at the time of the arrests or during the initial hearing. After the judge granted prosecutors one hour to comply, a heavily redacted warrant was produced. The judge nonetheless continued to demand the activists’ release.
The warrants did not clearly outline specific charges and included several redacted names. Kushner said the documents referenced journalist Don Lemon in connection to his coverage of the Cities Church protest, language the judge ultimately refused to approve.
Following the DOJ appeal, a new judge was assigned and is currently reviewing the case. Dozens of supporters remained at the courthouse throughout the day until security officers cleared the lobby, telling both demonstrators and members of the media they had to leave under a U.S. Marshals Service order. Supporters continued to wait across the street for updates on the activists’ status.
“What you’re seeing here are the same people Nekima and Chauntyll would show up for,” said community activist Touissant Morisson at the press conference. “If they took any of us this morning, Nekima would be here by the next hour. We’re here because they would be here for us.”
As of 4:30 p.m. Jan. 22, both women were reported to have been transferred to the Sherburne County Jail, an ICE detention facility, raising concerns among supporters that they could be transported out of state.
Izzy Canizares is a freelance journalist and contributor to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder