January 1, Church Service Disrupted by Anti-ICE Mob in Minneapolis

Wyatt’s Take

• Protesters stormed a church, accusing the pastor of ICE ties.
• Congregants were outraged, calling out the disruption.
• The government is now investigating the incident.

Anti-ICE protesters burst into Cities Church in Minneapolis on Sunday, accusing the pastor of secretly working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The commotion was streamed live on YouTube as the group disrupted the service with chants like “Hands up, Don’t shoot,” and “ICE out.”

Former CNN host Don Lemon filmed the scene.

“I was not part of the group,”

Lemon stated, explaining he was only there to photograph what happened.

According to Lemon, protesters claimed they had learned one of the pastors was connected to ICE.

Jonathan Parnell, the lead pastor, was upset about the protest.

“This is unacceptable. It’s shameful to interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship,”

He said.

Lemon argued with the pastor on camera about the First Amendment, telling viewers.

“This is what the First Amendment is about, the freedom to protest. I’m sure people here don’t like it, but protests are not comfortable.”

Many churchgoers yelled at the protesters to leave, clearly angered by the disruption.

The federal government is now looking into whether the group violated the FACE Act, which protects churches from hostile interference.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said an investigation is underway into those interfering with Christian worship.

“The @CivilRights in investigating the potential violations of the federal FACE Act by these people desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshippers,”

Dhillon posted on X.

The FACE Act, passed in 1994, bans violence, threats, and conduct meant to intimidate or block people from worship or seeking or providing care at protected facilities.

Churches, clinics, and pro-life centers all fall under its guard.

If you believe in religious liberty and safe worship, keep your eyes on how this situation unfolds and what it means for Americans who want to gather without fear.

Wyatt Matters

Folks in the heartland know churches are special places where families come together, not battlegrounds for political fights. When outside groups show up to intimidate and disrupt, it shakes the foundation of community and faith that Middle America values most.

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