MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice has announced an investigation into a group of protesters in Minnesota who disrupted services at a St. Paul church, allegedly tied to a local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) pastor.
The protest, organized by Black Lives Matter Minnesota, was a response to the recent shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, by an ICE agent. Video footage from the protest captured chants calling for justice and demanding the removal of ICE from their community.
Protesters claim that Pastor David Easterwood, who leads the church, is also in charge of the local ICE field office overseeing controversial enforcement operations, prompting heated allegations of misconduct.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated the DOJ's intent to investigate potential civil rights violations, labeling the disruption of church services as inappropriate, citing the sanctity of worship spaces protected by federal law.
Local activist Nekima Levy Armstrong criticized the investigation, asserting that it serves as a distraction from the violence and intimidation faced by immigrant communities at the hands of federal agents.
Activists highlighted the contradiction of a minister overseeing violent enforcement actions while leading a faith community, with some demanding a reevaluation of priorities within the church’s leadership.
The overarching issue of ICE's aggressive tactics in immigrant communities is brought to light, with federal authorities concurrently claiming threats to their personnel and community safety.
As the situation unfolds, community organizers, church leaders, and government representatives are grappling with these intersecting concerns over immigration policy, civil rights, and community safety.
