ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) 鈥� Dozens of anti-immigration enforcement protesters who face federal criminal charges after they in January, accompanied by former CNN journalist Don Lemon, will not additionally face state charges, a prosecutor said Wednesday.
St. Paul City Attorney Irene Kao said in a statement that “current evidence is insufficient to meet that standard for criminal charges under Minnesota state statutes,鈥� a determination heavily criticized by the lead pastor at Cities Church, where the protest occurred.
鈥淭his decision should not be interpreted as an endorsement of unlawful behavior or public disorder,鈥� Kao said. 鈥淭he right to peacefully protest is protected, as is the right to exercise one鈥檚 religious beliefs. Balancing these equally important rights is paramount to our decision today.鈥�
The U.S. Justice Department brought federal civil rights charges against 39 people, , after a livestreamed video showed a group of people interrupting services at Cities Church on Jan. 18 by chanting 鈥淚CE out鈥� and 鈥淛ustice for Renee Good.鈥� Good, a , was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis amid .
The protesters had learned that one of the church pastors was also an ICE official who had been overseeing the intensive operation in Minnesota.
鈥淎ccording to the St. Paul City Attorney鈥檚 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 鈥榩rotest,鈥欌�� Cities Church lead pastor Jonathan Parnell said in a written statement.
Violence, destruction of property and threats to public safety remain serious concerns, Kao said, but none of that occurred during the demonstration.
Attorneys for the church said that just because the protesters did not break windows or destroy property doesn’t mean they didn’t break the law.
At least four states 鈥� Idaho, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Kansas 鈥� making it a crime to disrupt worship services.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
