Story perspectives

Prosecutors Decline State Charges; DOJ Pursues Civil-Rights Suit

6/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prosecutors said no state criminal charges will be filed against the 39 protesters, including Don Lemon, for the Jan. 18 service interruption at Cities Church in St. Paul.
The U.S. Justice Department filed federal civil-rights charges after a livestream captured chanting.
City Attorney Irene Kao said the decision balances protest with worship.
Lead pastor Jonathan Parnell condemned the decision as equating church disruptions with invasions of other houses of worship.

History

Historical Context

The 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march, led by Martin Luther King Jr. with about 5,000 protesters, sparked the Voting Rights Act after violent “Bloody Sunday” and 54,000 arrests nationwide. In 2024, a St. Paul worship service disruption involving 39 demonstrators, including journalist Don Lemon, prompted federal civil-rights charges and policy debate.

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Story summary

Prosecutors said no state criminal charges will be filed against the 39 protesters, including Don Lemon, for the Jan. 18 service interruption at Cities Church in St. Paul.
The U.S. Justice Department filed federal civil-rights charges after a livestream captured chanting.
City Attorney Irene Kao said the decision balances protest with worship.
Lead pastor Jonathan Parnell condemned the decision as equating church disruptions with invasions of other houses of worship.

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