Police Charge More Protesters Over Minnesota Church Incident

The state’s top prosecutor has filed federal accusations against 30 additional people who took part in a January demonstration inside a Minnesota church that hosts an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. The new charges come after earlier indictments of journalists and a local activist who were present at the same event. The prosecutor warned that anyone who attacks a place of worship will be found, arrested and tried. Video footage shared on social media shows the protestors interrupting a Sunday service, chanting “ICE out” and calling for justice for a woman killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. The crowd targeted the church after learning that one of its pastors also works for ICE, sparking criticism from former administration officials and conservative groups. In total, 39 individuals now face accusations of conspiring to violate religious freedom and obstructing the right to worship. Those newly charged had initial court appearances and were released pending further proceedings. The indictment claims the protestors entered the church in a “coordinated takeover” style, using intimidation and obstruction.It also alleges that some participants recorded the event beforehand and that a child was left frightened by the chaos. A lawyer representing the church praised federal action, stating that First Amendment rights do not permit violent or threatening entry into a house of worship. The updated filing adds details about reconnaissance activities the day before the protest and includes quotes from a protester declaring the church “the house of the devil. ” One organizer of a local civil‑rights group criticized the arrests, arguing that those responsible for violent incidents had not been charged while peaceful protesters were. The protest occurred amid a broader federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota, which saw thousands of officers deployed after a series of fraud cases involving primarily Somali‑origin defendants. Tear gas and arrests were common during clashes, leading to national outrage and a subsequent re‑evaluation of the operation. The city reported significant economic losses linked to the enforcement campaign, and a lawsuit was filed by a church attendee claiming emotional distress from the disruption.