Protesters Disrupt Minnesota Church Service, Avoid State Charges

WHO:

Fox News - Dozens of anti-ICE protesters, including Don Lemon, participated in the protest.

ABC News - St. Paul City Attorney Irene Kao made a statement regarding the charges.

ABC News - Cities Church lead pastor Jonathan Parnell criticized the decision.

WHAT:

Fox News - The protesters will not face state criminal charges after storming a Minnesota church service.

ABC News - The U.S. Justice Department brought federal civil rights charges against 39 people, including Don Lemon, for interrupting the church service.

ABC News - The protesters interrupted services at Cities Church on January 18 by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good.”

WHERE:

Fox News - The protest occurred at a Minnesota church service.

ABC News - The specific location of the protest was Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

WHEN:

ABC News - The protest took place on January 18.

ABC News - The decision regarding state charges was announced on a Wednesday.

WHY:

ABC News - The protest was motivated by the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent amid increased federal immigration enforcement.

ABC News - The protesters targeted the church because one of the pastors was an ICE official overseeing operations in Minnesota.

HOW:

ABC News - The protesters interrupted the service by chanting slogans during the gathering.

ABC News - Irene Kao stated that the evidence was insufficient to meet the standard for criminal charges under Minnesota state statutes.

(UPDATED June 4, 2026 17:56 UTC)

Dozens of anti-ICE protesters, including Don Lemon, stormed a church service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18, chanting slogans like “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good.” While the U.S. Justice Department has brought federal civil rights charges against 39 individuals for their actions, the protesters will not face state criminal charges, as St. Paul City Attorney Irene Kao stated that the evidence was insufficient for such charges. The protest was sparked by the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a mother of three, by an ICE agent, and the church was targeted because one of its pastors was an ICE official overseeing operations in the state.