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Judge Denies Detention for Protesters Amid White House Criticism

1/27/2026

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Judge Denies Detention

U.S. District Judge Laura M. Provinzino denied the Trump administration's motions to detain three protesters.
The protesters are Nekima Valdez Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Scott Kelly, charged under the FACE Act.
Provinzino ruled the government lacked sufficient evidence for detention and found no probable cause.
The White House faced criticism for altering an image of Armstrong during her arrest, described as a 'meme' by a senior official.

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Justice Department Arrests

The Justice Department arrested three demonstrators in St. Paul for disrupting a church service tied to Pastor David Easterwood's alleged ICE role.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said arrests were necessary to protect worship.
The protest followed the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent, triggering demonstrations.
Arrestees are Nekima Levy Armstrong, a lawyer; Chauntyll Louisa Allen, a St. Paul School Board member; and William Kelly, an ICE activist.

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Judge Denies Detention

U.S. District Judge Laura M. Provinzino denied the Trump administration's motions to detain three protesters.
The protesters are Nekima Valdez Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Scott Kelly, charged under the FACE Act.
Provinzino ruled the government lacked sufficient evidence for detention and found no probable cause.
The White House faced criticism for altering an image of Armstrong during her arrest, described as a 'meme' by a senior official.

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