St. Paul Church Protest Charges and Journalist Rights Concerns

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SUMMARY

Attorneys for 33 of the 36 defendants charged in connection with the January 18, 2026, St. Paul church demonstration filed a federal motion on June 26, 2026, to dismiss charges of "Conspiracy Against Right of Religious Freedom at Place of Worship" and "Injure, Intimidate, and Interfere with Exercise of Right of Religious Freedom at Place of Worship." As of June 26, 2026, all 36 individuals, including journalist Don Lemon, independent journalist Georgia Fort, civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, and St. Paul School Board member Chauntyll Louisa Allen, have pleaded not guilty to the federal charges. The Justice Department previously sought search warrants for the YouTube accounts and phone records of Lemon and Fort, raising concerns about journalists' rights, and a civil lawsuit has been filed against Lemon, Armstrong, and Fort by a churchgoer.

Timeline

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June 2026 — 4 developments

  1. Defendants File Motion to Dismiss Charges in St. Paul Church Protest Case

    Attorneys for 33 defendants charged in the January 2026 St. Paul church demonstration filed a federal motion to dismiss the charges. They argue that the anti-ICE protest did not involve physical force, violence, or blocked access, thus not fitting the federal civil rights charges. This legal move comes as all 36 individuals charged have pleaded not guilty.

  2. Journalists and Activists Charged in St. Paul Church Protest

    Journalist Don Lemon, independent journalist Georgia Fort, civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, and St. Paul School Board member Chauntyll Louisa Allen have been charged in connection with the January 18, 2026, protest at Cities Church. The charges include "Conspiracy Against Right of Religious Freedom at Place of Worship" and "Injure, Intimidate, and Interfere with Exercise of Right of Religious Freedom at Place of Worship." A federal magistrate judge initially rejected the DOJ's attempt to charge Don Lemon, but a superseding indictment has since been filed.

  3. DOJ sought warrants for journalists' records in St. Paul church protest case

    The Justice Department sought search warrants for the YouTube accounts and phone records of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort in connection with the St. Paul church protest. A judge indicated these requests may have violated journalists' rights, raising concerns among legal experts and media groups about a chilling effect on reporting.

  4. St. Paul City Attorney declines state charges in church protest; federal charges remain

    The St. Paul City Attorney's Office announced no state criminal charges would be filed in connection with the January 18, 2026, protest at Cities Church, citing insufficient evidence for conviction. However, 39 individuals have been charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with federal civil rights violations related to the alleged "takeover-style attack."

May 2026 — 2 developments

  1. Four States Enact Laws Against Worship Service Disruption Following St. Paul Protest

    At least four states have enacted laws making it a crime to disrupt worship services, in response to the St. Paul church protest. These legislative changes aim to provide increased protection for religious gatherings. A total of 39 individuals have been charged in connection with the January 18, 2026, protest that disrupted services at Cities Church.

  2. Video footage emerges potentially contradicting indictment in St. Paul church protest case

    Video footage has emerged that appears to contradict aspects of the federal indictment's description of Don Lemon's actions during the Cities Church protest. Don Lemon, activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, and journalist Georgia Fort are among the 39 individuals facing charges related to the January 18, 2026, protest.

April 2026 — 3 developments

  1. Emily Phillips arrested for disrupting church service in St. Paul

    Emily Phillips, a protester previously cleared of charges, was arrested on Easter Sunday for disrupting a service at Cities Church in St. Paul. As of late February 2026, 39 individuals, including journalist Don Lemon, have been charged in connection with the January anti-ICE protest at the church.

  2. Judge dismisses charges against anti-ICE protester arrested at Cities Church

    Charges were dismissed against an anti-ICE protester arrested at Cities Church on April 6, 2026, as a judge ruled the case lacked probable cause. This is the second instance of charges being dropped for an individual involved in the January 18 protest, which led to 39 people being charged.

  3. Churchgoer Sues Don Lemon, Nekima Levy Armstrong, Georgia Fort for Disrupting Worship

    A churchgoer has filed a civil lawsuit against Don Lemon, Nekima Levy Armstrong, and Georgia Fort, alleging extreme and outrageous conduct during the January 18, 2026, protest at Cities Church. The lawsuit seeks damages and an injunction for disrupting religious worship, adding a new legal dimension to the ongoing case.

March 2026 — 3 developments

  1. Prosecutors dismiss charges against Brooklyn Park woman; Don Lemon sued by churchgoer

    Federal prosecutors dismissed charges against a Brooklyn Park woman due to mistaken identity, and defense attorneys are challenging government delays in evidence disclosure. Additionally, a civil lawsuit has been filed by a churchgoer against Don Lemon and other protesters, alleging severe emotional distress.

  2. Prosecutors argue Jerome Richardson's arrest indicates protest planning, not passive coverage

    Federal prosecutors argue that the arrest of Jerome Richardson, who allegedly assisted journalist Don Lemon with protest logistics, indicates planning rather than passive coverage. Additionally, charges were dropped in March 2026 against a Minnesota woman who claimed she was wrongly charged using a geofence warrant.

  3. Federal Judge Dismisses Charges Against Journalist Don Lemon in Protest Case

    A federal magistrate judge has dismissed charges against journalist Don Lemon in connection with an anti-immigration protest at a St. Paul church. Lemon's defense successfully argued that his presence and actions were protected by the First Amendment as he was reporting on the event. While charges against Lemon were dropped, 39 other individuals still face federal charges related to the protest.

February 2026 — 5 developments

  1. 39 Charged with Federal Civil Rights Offenses in St. Paul Church Protest

    Federal charges have been filed against 39 individuals for their involvement in a protest at Cities Church on January 18, 2026. The charges include "Conspiracy Against Right of Religious Freedom at Place of Worship" and "Injure, Intimidate, and Interfere with Exercise of Right of Religious Freedom at Place of Worship." Protesters targeted Pastor David Easterwood, believing he held a leadership role with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

  2. 30 More Charged in St. Paul Anti-ICE Protest, Total Defendants Reach 39

    Thirty additional individuals have been charged in connection with the anti-ICE protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, bringing the total number of defendants to 39. The new indictments were announced on February 27, 2026, expanding the case that initially involved nine arrests, including journalist Don Lemon. The charges include conspiracy against religious freedom and interfering with worshippers' rights.

  3. Don Lemon and eight others plead not guilty to federal civil rights charges in Minnesota church protest.

    Journalist Don Lemon and eight other defendants have pleaded not guilty to federal civil rights charges in connection with a protest at a Minnesota church. The charges include conspiracy against the right of religious freedom and violating the FACE Act. Lemon maintains his actions were constitutionally protected journalism.

  4. Two more arrested in Cities Church protest, bringing total to nine

    Two additional individuals, Ian Davis Austin and Jerome Deangelo Richardson, have been arrested in connection with the protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. This brings the total number of charged individuals to nine, including journalist Don Lemon. The federal indictment describes the incident as a 'takeover-style attack'.

  5. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announces two more arrests in St. Paul church takeover

    U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced two additional arrests in the St. Paul church takeover case, bringing the total number of individuals arrested to nine.

January 2026 — 12 developments

  1. Legal Experts, Media Organizations Voice Concerns Over Journalist Arrests

    Legal experts and media organizations voiced concerns about the arrests of journalists, warning of a potential chilling effect on press freedom and coverage of the Trump administration.

  2. Don Lemon's attorney states Lemon's actions were constitutionally protected journalism

    Don Lemon's attorney, Abbe Lowell, issued a statement asserting Lemon's actions were constitutionally protected journalism and that he would vigorously fight the charges.

  3. Journalist Don Lemon arrested by federal agents, charged with civil rights crimes

    Journalist Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles and charged with federal civil rights crimes in connection with an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a service at a St. Paul church. The Department of Justice indictment alleges Lemon participated in a "coordinated takeover-style" protest, charging him and eight others with conspiracy against the right of religious freedom.

  6. Don Lemon released on bond after federal court appearance in Los Angeles

    Don Lemon was released from custody after appearing in federal court in Los Angeles, on a personal recognizance bond with conditions including avoiding contact with victims or witnesses.

  7. Don Lemon arrested in Los Angeles on conspiracy and FACE Act violation charges

    Don Lemon was taken into federal custody in Los Angeles while covering the Grammy Awards, facing charges of conspiracy and violating the FACE Act. Independent journalist Georgia Fort, Trahern Jeen Crew, and Jamael Lydell Lundy were also arrested.

  8. Grand Jury Indicts Don Lemon for Conspiracy, Interfering with Worshippers' Rights

    A grand jury in Minnesota indicted Don Lemon and others on charges of conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshippers, alleging a 'takeover-style attack' on the church.

  9. Federal Authorities Arrest Anti-ICE Agitators, Journalists for Church Protest Disruption

    Federal authorities have arrested two anti-ICE agitators, Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen, for their alleged roles in organizing a disruption at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Independent journalist Georgia Fort, along with Don Lemon and others, were taken into custody in connection with the protest. Don Lemon and Georgia Fort have been criminally charged in connection with the protest.

  10. Minnesota Judge Declines Initial Charges Against Don Lemon

    A Minnesota federal magistrate judge reportedly declined to approve initial charges against Don Lemon, though the Justice Department indicated it might pursue other avenues.

  11. Attorney General Pam Bondi announces first arrests in church protest, including Nekima Levy Armstrong

    Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the first arrests in connection with the church protest, identifying Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen. A third individual, William Kelly, was also arrested.