The dozens of anti-ICE activists arrested for storming a Sunday church service with former CNN reporter Don Lemon will not face Minnesota state charges — drawing condemnation from the head pastor.
St. Paul City Attorney Irene Kao said in a statement Wednesday that “current evidence is insufficient to meet that standard for criminal charges under Minnesota state statutes” over the Jan. 18 takeover.
“This decision should not be interpreted as an endorsement of unlawful behavior or public disorder,” Kao stressed. “The right to peacefully protest is protected, as is the right to exercise one’s religious beliefs. Balancing these equally important rights is paramount to our decision today.”
The Trump administration has charged 39 people — including Lemon, who claimed to be acting in his capacity as an independent journalist — with federal civil rights violations for the stunt in which the group loudly barged into the house of worship to protest immigration enforcement operations across the state.
The decision not to also bring state charges was condemned by Cities Church lead pastor Jonathan Parnell, the church’s lead pastor who was cornered by Lemon during the takeover.
“The city of Saint Paul has officially determined the January 18 invasion of our church and the desecration of our worship to be a ‘peaceful protest,” he said in a video posted on X.
“According to the St. Paul City Attorney’s logic, it is perfectly fine for agitators to invade a mosque, a cathedral, or a temple, intimidate the families and children inside, and shut down their religious gathering. Just call it a ‘protest,’” he added in a statement.
Lemon livestreamed the entire demonstration, including the lead-up in which he was conducting “reconnaissance” with the group about their plans in a parking lot near the church while taking precautions that the details of their plan were not broadcast.
“They’re planning an operation we’re going to follow them on. I can’t tell you exactly what they’re doing, but it’s called Operation Pull-Up,” he said in the stream.
“So that’s what we’re doing here, and after we do this operation, you’ll see it live, these operations are surprise operations. Again, I can’t tell you where they’re going,” he said, indicating he was very much a part of the demonstration despite his protestations he was only covering it as a reporter.
The frequently fired ex-CNN anchor was arrested by FBI agents at a hotel in Los Angeles days later.
The 39 who were federally indicted — including Lemon, journalist Georgia Fort and Black Lives Matter activist Nekima Levy Armstrong — were hit with charges including conspiracy against religious freedom and interfering with the exercise of religious freedom at a place of worship, according to the Justice Department.
