Pastors and church leaders in Minnesota are calling on law enforcement authorities to pursue criminal charges following the disruption of a Sunday worship service by anti-ICE demonstrators, an incident that has raised renewed concerns about security at houses of worship.
The disruption occurred at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, when protesters entered the sanctuary during a service and confronted congregants. According to reporting, the demonstrators accused one of the church’s pastors of involvement in immigration enforcement activities and interrupted the service as worshippers were gathered inside.
Joe Rigney, a founding pastor of the church, said the incident crossed a clear legal line and should not be dismissed as protected protest activity. He stated that the demonstrators’ actions amounted to intimidation and unlawful interference with religious worship. Rigney said the church is urging authorities to treat the incident seriously and pursue prosecutions where appropriate.
Church leaders emphasized that the protest was not a peaceful demonstration held outside the building, but a direct intrusion into a religious service. They warned that such actions create safety risks for congregants, including families and children, and could encourage similar disruptions if left unaddressed.
Rigney also cited broader security concerns in the region, noting previous acts of violence at religious institutions in Minnesota. He said the incident highlights the growing vulnerability of churches and the need for clear legal consequences when worship services are disrupted.
Federal authorities have reportedly opened a review of the incident to determine whether any laws were violated. One statute under consideration is the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which includes provisions protecting individuals from intimidation, obstruction, or interference while exercising their First Amendment rights at places of religious worship.
At this time, no charges have been announced. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not disclosed whether federal or state prosecutors will move forward with criminal cases related to the disruption.
Church leaders said their request for prosecutions is not aimed at suppressing lawful protest, but at upholding the right of Americans to worship freely without fear of intimidation or intrusion.
