Arrests at Cities Church Protest Highlight Tensions Over Immigration Enforcement

On January 18, 2023, a protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, escalated into a significant confrontation between demonstrators and federal authorities. Chauntyll Allen, a member of the St. Paul School Board and co-founder of Black Lives Matter Twin Cities, was arrested during the demonstration, which aimed to challenge Pastor David Easterwood over his connections to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Protesters voiced their opposition to federal immigration enforcement, chanting slogans such as “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” referencing a recent fatal shooting involving an ICE officer.

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Pastor David Easterwood is not only a religious leader at Cities Church but also serves as the acting field office director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in St. Paul. His dual role has drawn criticism, particularly in light of recent incidents involving ICE. The Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention condemned the protest, asserting that it disrupted the worship service and targeted Easterwood's involvement with federal immigration enforcement.

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Following the protest, Allen described her arrest as traumatic and unjust. She recounted that federal agents approached her without presenting a valid judicial warrant, instead using a warrant intended for another individual. Allen alleged that she was treated like a violent criminal, experiencing a series of distressing events during her detention, including being shackled and subjected to a strip search at the jail. She expressed concerns about her safety during the process, particularly when left alone with ICE agents who took photographs of her.

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Allen's treatment has sparked outrage among activists and community members. She articulated her fears regarding the portrayal of peaceful protesters as criminals, suggesting that such narratives could incite violence against activists. Her wife, Satara Strong-Allen, who was also detained, echoed these sentiments, expressing a compromised sense of security and fear for her wife's safety. Both women emphasized the importance of community solidarity and support in the face of such challenges.

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The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice were contacted for comments regarding the arrests and treatment of the protesters, but no responses were provided at the time of reporting. The Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention's condemnation of the protest reflects a broader tension between religious institutions and activist movements regarding immigration policies.

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Multiple defendants, including Allen and civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, have entered not guilty pleas in U.S. District Court. The legal proceedings stemming from the protest are ongoing, with further developments expected as the case unfolds.

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• “As a Christian, I am appalled by the double standards [Easterwood is] displaying.” — Chauntyll Allen, Activist

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• “They treated us like we were really violent criminals,” — Chauntyll Allen, Activist

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• “My sense of security is really low now.” — Satara Strong-Allen, Activist

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This incident underscores the growing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States and the responses from community activists advocating for change.

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