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A crowd of anti-ICE protesters stormed a church Sunday in St. Paul, Minnesota, disrupted a service after protesters said the pastor inside had ties to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Video shows protesters chanting “Justice for Renee Good” inside the sanctuary at the Cities Church as the service begins, raising concerns among law enforcement and religious leaders about protesters targeting houses of worship amid growing anti-ICE protests across the Twin Cities.
In one video circulating online, protesters can be heard chanting, “Justice for Renee Good,” and “Who needs justice, we need justice,” as they stand inside the church during the service.
In one clip, the person recording says that the protesters stood in the middle of the sanctuary while the priest was speaking. The person recording the video then described the disruption as a “covert operation” and said the rioters had just found out that one of the pastors at the church had ties to ICE.
STATE JUDGE LIMITS COPYRIGHT AGENTS Amid PROGRESS AND PROTEST IN MINNEAPOLIS AREA
Anti-ICE protesters attacked St. (Google Maps)
Cities Church lists eight pastors in various roles, including David Easterwood, who has the same name as the acting director of ICE’s St. Paul.
Fox News Digital reached out to ICE to confirm whether these individuals are the same person.
ICE shared one video of the protest inside the church that went viral on social media on Sunday.
TRUMP ACCUSES TIM WALZ AND ILHAN OMAR OF USING ICE DEMONSTRATION TO INTERFERE WITH NATION’S MASSIVE EXPORTS.
Members of the public confront federal agents after an immigration raid that led to an arrest following the ICE shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jan. 13, 2026. (Tim Evans/Reuters)
“Agitators aren’t just targeting our officers. Now they’re targeting churches, too,” DHS said in the post. “They go from hotel to hotel, week after week, hunting law enforcement officers who risk their lives to protect the American people.”
DHS then called Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, says they are responsible for “throwing these mobs into chaos and allowing them to run wild.”
“We will not be deterred,” DHS said. “ICE is not going anywhere.”
MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD PLACED ON STANDBY TO SUPPORT LAW AS PROTESTS TURN VIOLENT
The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the church’s protest to determine whether human rights laws are being violated.
“@CivilRights is investigating violations of the Federal FACE Act by these individuals who desecrated a house of worship and disturbed Christian worshippers,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Frey has defended the protests, blasting government officials who have described the protests as dangerous or illegal and rejecting allegations that state and local leaders are responsible for fueling the unrest.
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Appearing on CBS’ Face the Nation on Sunday, Frey dismissed the Trump administration’s explanation for the immigration crackdown in Minnesota, saying the increased presence of federal agents has made residents feel targeted rather than protected.
“This is not about safety. This is about thousands coming into our city and terrorizing people because they are Latino or Somali,” Frey said. “The people of Minneapolis are speaking up. They’re speaking out for peace. They’re standing up for their neighbors. And this isn’t just about standing up to Trump. This is about loving and caring for the people who call this city home. And it’s been inspiring.”
