Pastor at St. Paul Church Condemns Disruptive Anti-ICE Protestors During Service

Pastor at St. Paul Church Condemns Disruptive Anti-ICE Protestors During Service

In a heated confrontation, a group of protestors interrupted a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, leading to a strong condemnation from lead pastor Jonathan Parnell. The incident, which unfolded on Sunday, involved ex-CNN host Don Lemon, who captured the moment on videotape and later shared it with his audience.

Anti-ICE Protestors Storm Church

The protestors, rallying against the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, invaded the church as congregants gathered for worship. Lemon engaged with both the agitating crowd and church members, seeking the pastor’s perspective on the disruption. Notably, Parnell characterized the protest as “unacceptable” and “shameful,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining a sacred space for worship.

“This is unacceptable, it’s shameful. It’s shameful to interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship,” Parnell asserted. “I have to take care of my flock.” The pastor expressed concern for the congregation’s right to worship free from such interruptions.

Pastor’s Commitment to Worship

In a poignant moment, Parnell reaffirmed the church’s mission, stating, “We’re here to worship Jesus, because that’s the hope of these cities, that’s the hope of the world, is Jesus Christ.” His comments underscored the church’s commitment to provide a space for spiritual solace amidst the turmoil.

Lemon, highlighting First Amendment rights, reminded the pastor of the constitutional protections that allow individuals to assemble and express their views. Although he acknowledged the pastor’s concerns, the tension between freedom of speech and the sanctity of religious gatherings took center stage.

Cities Church Remains Silent on Incident

Despite the upheaval, Cities Church has not yet released a formal statement regarding the disruptive actions. The church’s leadership has remained focused on its mission rather than engaging with the narrative fostered by the protest.

Federal Response to Potential Violations

Following the incident, Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Department of Justice, indicated that the situation was under review. Dhillon pointed to potential violations of the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, or FACE Act, which protects individuals from intimidation or harm during religious practices.

Understanding the FACE Act

The FACE Act prohibits actions aimed at obstructing individuals from accessing reproductive health services or practicing their religious beliefs. Legal ramifications for violating this act include significant fines and possible jail time. The intent is to protect both freedom of assembly and the sanctity of religious gatherings.

Federal Officials Speak Out

Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly supported Parnell, asserting that attacks on religious congregations and law enforcement would not go unpunished. In a statement, Bondi affirmed the commitment of federal law enforcement to uphold the rights of worshippers who were affected by the protest.

Media Coverage of the Protest

Lemon continued to defend his journalistic approach during the turmoil. In response to criticisms, he clarified that he was merely documenting the events and had no prior knowledge of the protest’s coordination. “We were there chronicling protests…that’s it. It’s called journalism,” he stated. His remarks aim to separate his role as a reporter from the actions of the protestors.

Activist Perspectives

Lemon also conversed with Nekima Levy Armstrong, an activist who described the protest as part of an organized effort dubbed