DOJ Charges 30 More People in Connection with Minneapolis ICE Protest
Christine Bowen
By Christine Bowen
March 7, 2026
While ICE agents have been pulling out of Minneapolis in recent weeks, the litigation surrounding the unrest over the last few months is lingering. Here is a look at the latest charges brought by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) against protestors.
DOJ Confirms More Charges in Controversial Minneapolis Church Protest
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced late last month that the DOJ has charged 30 more people in connection with an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church. The protestors allegedly interrupted a Sunday church service on January 18, claiming that Pastor David Easterwood was working as the acting director of the St. Paul Field Office of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Credit: Attorney General Pam Bondi. | Francis Chung / POLITICO via AP Images
The 30 protestors were indicted on criminal charges in connection with this incident at the Cities Church. Bondi did not personally identify the defendants, nor did she give specific information about the charges brought against them.
The indictment was officially unsealed on February 27. Bondi said that the defendants participated in what she called an "attack" at the church. This protest was part of the same demonstration at Cities Church where journalist Don Lemon was arrested. Lemon continues to assert that he was covering the protest as a journalist, denying any illegal activity.
At least eight other people, in addition to Lemon, were arrested in connection with this particular demonstration. The people identified in these arrests are Chauntyll Louisa Allen, William Kelly, Nekima Levy Armstrong, Georgia Fort, Trahern Jeen Crews, Jamael Lydell Lundy, Ian Davis Austin, and Jerome Deangelo Richardson.
