Federal authorities have taken Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen into custody following a protest that disrupted services at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday.
The arrests, executed by Homeland Security Investigations and FBI agents, stem from a Sunday incident in which demonstrators entered the sanctuary, chanted political slogans, and confronted congregants.
Bondi stressed the seriousness of the event in a post on X, writing, “Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP.”
She affirmed that the Justice Department (DOJ) is committed to safeguarding religious institutions and upholding the constitutional rights of worshippers.
Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and former president of the Minneapolis NAACP, is accused of orchestrating the demonstration, which participants referred to as “Operation Pull Up.”
In an interview with former CNN host Don Lemon, Armstrong described the effort as a coordinated disruption targeting organizations she alleged were linked to federal immigration enforcement, aiming to challenge normal operations.
Allen, a member of the St. Paul School Board since 2020 and head of Black Lives Matter Twin Cities, faces similar federal allegations.
She chairs the board’s Afrocentric School/Program Work Group and serves on its Sustainability and Equity Committees.
Both women are charged under the FACE Act, which prohibits obstructing, injuring, or intimidating individuals exercising their First Amendment rights at places of worship, according to The Post Millennial.
Eyewitness accounts describe protesters entering mid-service, shouting political messages and confronting congregants directly.
Several attendees reported feeling intimidated, and children present were visibly distressed. Church leaders condemned the incident, noting that worshippers were forced to leave the sanctuary during the disruption.
Armstrong previously served as executive director of the Wayfinder Foundation, a Minneapolis nonprofit supporting activist programs.
According to Trending Politics, public filings show she received substantial compensation while the foundation awarded grants funded in part by the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation.
The organization’s initiatives aimed to empower community activists and address systemic inequities.
The protest drew national attention due to Armstrong’s high-profile activism, including organizing corporate boycotts and publicly supporting controversial social justice figures.
Analysts suggest that the church demonstration aligns with her ongoing strategy of using direct action to confront institutions perceived as perpetuating injustice.
The DOJ has not released full details on potential charges beyond FACE Act violations.
Both Armstrong and Allen are expected to appear in federal court as the legal process moves forward. Authorities emphasized that the arrests reflect a commitment to enforcing federal law while protecting religious freedoms.
Legal experts note that the case highlights the tension between civil activism and the constitutional rights of worshippers.
Critics argue such demonstrations risk infringing on religious liberties and endangering congregants, while supporters contend the actions hold institutions accountable for alleged connections to federal enforcement activities.
Federal authorities continue investigating the events at Cities Church, underscoring the need to balance First Amendment protections with preventing harassment or intimidation in places of worship.
The legal outcomes for Armstrong and Allen may set important precedents for future protests targeting religious institutions.
