Several faith leaders called urgently for protecting the rights of worshippers while also expressing compassion for migrants after anti-immigration enforcement protesters disrupted a service at a Southern Baptist church in Minnesota.
About three dozen protesters entered the church during Sunday service at the Cities Church in St. Paul, some walking right up to the pulpit, others loudly chanting “ICE out” and referring to a woman who was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis during an immigration enforcement operation.
One pastor at the church leads the local field office for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Prominent local activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, who led the protest, is also an ordained reverend.
The Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention condemned the disruption, stating that it was “an unacceptable trauma.” Trey Turner, a leader in the convention, emphasized the need for churches to provide compassionate pastoral care to migrant families while ensuring the sanctity of houses of worship.
“The interference was so significant that services were forced to end prematurely,” the convention noted. Supporters of the church have commented on the necessity of maintaining safety in light of current tensions regarding immigration enforcement.
The U.S. Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation, emphasizing a commitment to protecting free exercise of faith against violent or disruptive protests. The incident highlights growing conflict surrounding immigration enforcement and faith communities, as faith leaders navigate the complexities of compassion and security.
