‘We Will Protect Our Churches’—Feds Arrest 3 People Involved in Anti-ICE Church Protest

On Thursday, Jan. 22, agents with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested three people involved in an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a Southern Baptist church on Sunday: Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly.

On Jan. 18, a group of anti-ICE protesters deliberately disrupted a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The protesters entered the church as the congregation—including men, women, and children—was worshiping.

“Minutes ago at my direction, @HSI_HQ and @FBI agents executed an arrest in Minnesota. So far, we have arrested Nekima Levy Armstrong, who allegedly played a key role in organizing the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota,” U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi posted on X. “We will share more updates as they become available. Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP.”

RELATED: ‘[They] Serve Their Neighbors,’ Says ‘The Sin of Empathy’ Author and Cities Church Cofounder Joe Rigney

Less than 30 minutes later, Bondi posted another statement informing the public that protestor Chauntyll Louisa Allen was also arrested.

“A second arrest has been made at my direction. Chauntyll Louisa Allen has been taken into custody,” she said. “More to come. WE WILL PROTECT OUR HOUSES OF WORSHIP .”

A few hours later, Bondi posted that William Kelly was also arrested.

“William Kelly is now in custody,” Bondi said. “Our nation was settled and founded by people fleeing religious persecution. Religious freedom is the bedrock of this country. We will protect our pastors. We will protect our churches. We will protect Americans of faith.”

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem later clarified that Armstrong is being charged under 18 U.S. Code § 241—Conspiracy Against Rights.

“Homeland Security Investigators and FBI agents arrested Nekima Levy Armstrong who played a key role in orchestrating the Church Riots in St. Paul, Minnesota,” Noem posted on X. “She is being charged with a federal crime under 18 USC 241. Religious freedom is the bedrock of the United States—there is no first amendment right to obstruct someone from practicing their religion.”

RELATED: Cities Church Calls Anti-ICE Protest That Disrupted Worship Service ‘Shameful’ and ‘Unlawful’

According to the website for the Department of Justice, the Conspiracy Against Rights, also known as Civil Rights Conspiracy law (18 U.S.C. § 241), “makes it unlawful for two or more persons to agree to injure, threaten, or intimidate a person in the United States in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States or because of his or her having exercised such a right.”