The Racial Justice Network confirmed that federal courts have ordered two activists who stormed a Saint Paul church on January 18 to be released from custody.
Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and activist, and Chauntyll Allen, a member of the St. Paul School Board, were arrested for their alleged involvement in an anti-ICE protest after identifying a pastor as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. They were released alongside a third individual detained that day.
In a statement, the group emphasized that despite aggressive efforts by federal prosecutors to delay and derail the legal process, courts upheld constitutional rights, due process, and the rule of law. “A second judge affirmed the original ruling issued on January 22, confirming that the activists must be released,” the Network stated. The organization described their protest as peaceful and criticized the Department of Justice for seeking prosecution. They also shared a video documenting Armstrong’s arrest.
Additional controversy arose when it was revealed that a local magistrate refused to charge former CNN anchor Don Lemon despite his presence at the protest. Lemon defended his actions, stating: “Once the protest started in the church, we did an act of journalism, which was report on it and talk to the people involved, including the pastor, members of the church, and members of the organization.” The magistrate’s wife is reportedly an assistant attorney general in Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office.
The Racial Justice Network vowed to continue their efforts: “Our fight is far from over. We will continue to organize, mobilize, and litigate until all charges are dropped against all detainees and meaningful accountability is imposed for this blatant abuse of power.”
