The Justice Division mentioned they’re investigating am incident during which anti-ICE protesters disrupted a service on Sunday at a Minneapolis church the place one of many pastors is an ICE official.
Video posted online by Black Lives Matter Minnesota exhibits protesters getting into Cities Church in Minneapolis, the place they mentioned one of many pastors, David Easterwood, is the appearing discipline director of the St. Paul ICE discipline workplace.
Easterwood was not on the church on the time of the protest, in line with Black Lives Matter Minnesota. Jonathan Parnell is the church’s pastor and will be seen speaking to the protestors within the video.
“Somebody who claims to worship God, instructing folks on this church about God, is on the market overseeing ICE brokers. Take into consideration what we have skilled,” a protestor tells the congregation contained in the church within the Black Lives Matter Minnesota video.
Legal professional Common Pam Bondi speaks at a press convention on the Justice Division in Washington, December 4, 2025.
Jessica Koscielniak/Reuters
“I simply spoke to the Pastor in Minnesota whose church was focused,” Legal professional Common Pam Bondi posted on X Sunday. “Assaults in opposition to legislation enforcement and the intimidation of Christians are being met with the total drive of federal legislation.”
“If state leaders refuse to behave responsibly to forestall lawlessness, this Division of Justice will stay mobilized to prosecute federal crimes and be sure that the rule of legislation prevails,” Bondi’s submit continued.
Assistant Legal professional Common for the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon likewise mentioned they’re investigating the incident.
“This heinous act that occurred in Minnesota yesterday is receiving the best degree of consideration from @TheJusticeDept,” Dhillon posted on X. “@AGPamBondi & I are working across the clock, as a result of no proper in our Structure is extra sacred than the liberty to assemble & pray to God.”
Dhillon also said that they have been investigating the church protest as “potential violations of the federal FACE Act.” The Freedom to Access Clinic Entrances Act of 1994 makes it a federal crime to intimidate or intervene with any particular person “searching for to train the First Modification proper of non secular freedom at a spot of non secular worship,” or making an attempt to acquire or present reproductive well being providers. The laws was prompted by violent crimes that have been being dedicated in opposition to abortion suppliers and people searching for their providers.
“At roughly 10:40 a.m. on Solar. Jan. 18, Saint Paul Cops responded to Cities Church on the 1500 block of Summit Ave. following a number of calls reporting roughly 30 to 40 protesters who interrupted church providers,” the St. Paul Police Division instructed ABC Information in a press release.
US Border Patrol brokers stand guard on the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Constructing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 8, 2026.
Charly Triballeau/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
“By the point officers arrived on scene, the group had moved exterior the church and commenced to stroll down the alley. Saint Paul Police continued to observe the protest,” the assertion concluded.
A St. Paul Police spokesperson later mentioned in a press release that they’re “actively investigating this incident as a disorderly conduct investigation” and had no extra public data on the time as a result of investigation being open.
The Cities Church website lists Easterwood as one in all their pastors. Easterwood additionally appeared with Division of Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem throughout an Oct. 24 news conference in Minneapolis, the place Noem recognized him as an ICE appearing discipline workplace director within the area who’s with Enforcement and Removing Operations.
Easterwood is also one in all a number of events, together with Noem, named in a class action lawsuit filed final week by the ACLU alleging “illegal insurance policies and practices” by ICE in Minnesota, together with racial profiling and arrests with out warrants or possible trigger.
ICE blamed the disruption on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, saying on social media that they “are chargeable for whipping these mobs right into a frenzy after which permitting them to run rampant.”
“The Governor has repeatedly and unequivocally urged protesters to take action peacefully,” a spokesperson for Walz instructed ABC Information in response to a request for remark. “Whereas folks have a proper to talk out, he by no means helps interrupting a spot of worship.”
Frey had not publicly addressed the church protest as of early Monday afternoon. He did submit a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on X, to mark Monday’s federal vacation commemorating the late civil rights chief.
“’Injustice anyplace is a menace to justice in every single place.’ Dr. King mentioned it greatest. On MLK Day, I’m eager about his name to face up for justice, love others, and converse out when energy goes too far. Because the federal gov strikes the alternative approach, we’ll hold standing with our neighbors,” Frey posted.
