UMVA has learned that dozens of anti-ICE protesters, including a well-known journalist, will avoid state criminal charges after storming a Minnesota church service in January. The decision has sparked outrage among church leaders, who claim it effectively gives activists a free pass to disrupt religious worship.
The St. Paul City Attorney's office announced on Wednesday that it would not pursue charges, citing insufficient evidence to support prosecution under Minnesota law. The office carefully evaluated video footage, investigative reports, and other available materials before making the decision.
Federal prosecutors have already taken action, charging 39 people, including the journalist, with civil rights violations tied to the disruption. These federal cases are still pending, leaving the activists facing potential consequences at the federal level.
The city prosecutor's decision drew a sharp rebuke from leaders at Cities Church, where demonstrators interrupted worship services on January 18 to protest federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. The church's lead pastor condemned the decision, saying it implies that agitators can invade places of worship with impunity.
The protest targeted the church after activists discovered that one of its pastors also served as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official involved in a major federal enforcement operation in Minnesota. The activists were heard chanting slogans, including "Justice for Renee Good," referencing a fatal shooting by federal agents.
The St. Paul City Attorney stressed that the decision not to file state charges should not be seen as condoning unlawful behavior or public disorder. She emphasized that the right to peacefully protest and exercise one's religious beliefs are both protected, and that balancing these rights was crucial to the decision.
The city attorney noted that the demonstration did not involve violence, property damage, or threats to public safety, which were key factors in the decision not to pursue charges. However, attorneys representing the church argued that the absence of such factors does not mean that no laws were broken.
