A wave of arrests is concluding in the case of the January disruption at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, with authorities reporting 39 of 40 indicted individuals now in custody – including two apprehended internationally.
The incident, which saw an anti-ICE protest spill into a worship service, sparked outrage and a federal investigation into potential civil rights violations under the FACE Act. Video footage revealed protesters chanting within the church sanctuary as the service commenced.
Dr. Alveda King, niece of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., responded to the events with profound disappointment, emphasizing the stark contrast between these tactics and the nonviolent principles of her uncle’s movement.
“I was taught to protest prayerfully and non-violently,” King stated, expressing shock at the hostility displayed during the church disruption. “That is not the way to get God’s attention, and certainly not the way to gain America’s attention.”
King recalled her youth spent organizing within the Civil Rights Movement, describing churches as sanctuaries for prayer, song, and strategic planning – never as targets for aggression. The atmosphere, she emphasized, was one of peaceful resolve, not combative confrontation.
She drew a firm distinction between the movement she knew and the actions witnessed in Minnesota, asserting that violence and hostility – “throwing rocks, disturbing, yelling, or screaming” – are fundamentally opposed to the legacy of Dr. King.
King’s perspective is deeply rooted in personal tragedy; her father, Reverend Alfred Daniel Williams King, a Christian pastor, was assassinated in 1969, and his Louisville church was previously bombed during the Fair Housing Movement.
“I was taught to love, to forgive, to repent, and to walk together with my human brothers and sisters,” she shared, highlighting the core values instilled in her from a young age.
The disruption at Cities Church, King argued, represents a broader threat to religious freedom – a cornerstone of American society. She stressed the fundamental right to congregate and worship peacefully, free from the threat of violence.
Reflecting on what her uncle would say today, King recalled his timeless message: “We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters or perish together as fools.” She believes he would urge people to pray, seek understanding, and find peaceful resolutions.
The Department of Justice investigation continues, aiming to determine if federal civil rights laws were violated during the incident, with the Civil Rights Division leading the inquiry.
