A Minnesota federal magistrate judge has dismissed charges against journalist Don Lemon related to a protest at a St. Paul church. This protest occurred on a Sunday when demonstrators interrupted a church service, claiming that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official was involved with the church.
Background of the Incident
Attorney General Pam Bondi has expressed her frustration over the dismissal, calling the decision infuriating. Bondi has been in Minnesota to bolster law enforcement efforts amid protests that have intensified in response to the presence of ICE agents in the Twin Cities. Protests have been ongoing since the Trump administration increased federal presence in the area.
Details of the Charges
On Thursday, Bondi announced that two individuals were arrested in connection with the protest: Chauntyll Louisa Allen, a member of the St. Paul School Board, and Nekima Levy Armstrong. Bondi accused Armstrong of being an organizer of the protest. Both individuals face charges approved by a magistrate judge.
- Chauntyll Louisa Allen: St. Paul School Board member, charged related to protest.
- Nekima Levy Armstrong: Alleged organizer, facing federal charges under 18 USC 241.
Under this federal law, it is illegal for two or more individuals to conspire to obstruct constitutionally protected rights, such as religious freedoms.
Protest Background and Demands
The protesters entered Cities Church, driven by concerns about the church’s ties to ICE. Among their demands was accountability for the death of Renee Good, a U.S. citizen shot by an ICE officer earlier this year. Don Lemon, a former CNN anchor, was present at the protest and engaged with the church pastor, emphasizing the importance of constitutional rights, including freedom of speech and assembly.
Potential Future Actions
Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, has indicated that Lemon might face charges as well. She stated that being a journalist does not exempt one from facing legal consequences. The U.S. Attorney’s Office faced challenges last year similar to those in this case, as previous efforts to pursue all arrests as federal offenses led to numerous dismissals in court.
As the situation develops, it remains uncertain whether further actions will be pursued against Lemon or whether other avenues will be explored by the Justice Department.
