Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest of Nekima Levy Armstrong in a post on X. On Sunday, protesters entered the Cities Church in St. Paul, where a local official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement serves as a pastor. Bondi later posted on X that a second person had been arrested, followed by a third arrested announced by FBI Director Kash Patel.
The Justice Department quickly opened a civil rights investigation after the group interrupted services by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good," referring to the 37-year old anti-ICE protester who was fatally shot by an ICE officer when she sped up her car in the officer's direction.
“Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP," the attorney general wrote on X.
Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and prominent local activist, had called for the pastor affiliated with ICE to resign, saying his dual role poses a “fundamental moral conflict.”
It was not immediately clear what charge or charges Levy Armstrong faces. Justice Department officials have said in recent days they were considering charging the protesters under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.
The FACE Act prohibits physically obstructing or using the threat of force to intimidate or interfere with a person seeking reproductive health services or seeking to participate in a service at a house of worship.
FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X that Chauntyll Louisa Allen, the second person Bondi said was arrested, is charged under the FACE Act.
Patel said William Kelly has also been arrested. Kelly, who recorded himself screaming and cursing at churchgoers, later dared Bondi to arrest him in an expletive-filled rant on social media.
Saint Paul Public Schools, where Allen is a member of the board of education, is aware of her arrest but will not comment on pending legal matters, according to district spokesperson Erica Wacker.
Allen and Levy Armstrong are part of a community of black Minnesota activists who have protested the deaths of African Americans at the hands of police.
The arrests came as Vice President Vance arrived in the state for a meeting with ICE officials.
Vance said early Thursday that the “far left” has decided the U.S. shouldn't have a border.
“If you want to turn down the chaos in Minneapolis, stop fighting immigration enforcement and accept that we have to have a border in this country. It’s not that hard," Vance said.
The arrest comes just hours before Vice President Vance is set to visit Minneapolis to support the ICE agents.
Vance, speaking in Toledo ahead of his Minnesota visit, said the church protesters scared “little kids.”
“Those people are going to be sent to prison so long as we have the power to do so. We’re going to do everything we can to enforce the law," he said.
