The FBI arrested 25 more people in connection with protesters storming a church in Minneapolis last month, according to federal officials.
“Today, (the Justice Department) unsealed an indictment charging 30 more people who took part in the attack on Cities Church in Minnesota,” Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X on Friday. “At my direction, federal agents have already arrested 25 of them, with more to come throughout the day.”
“YOU CANNOT ATTACK A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. If you do so, you cannot hide from us — we will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you. This Department of Justice STANDS for Christians and all Americans of faith,” she continued.
On Jan. 18, a group of anti-ICE agitators stormed Cities Church protesting federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.
According to Fox News, FBI Director Kash Patel said the arrests showed the bureau would not tolerate people attacking people worshipping peacefully.
“Today’s FACE Act arrests with our federal partners show this FBI will never tolerate those who target, attack, or intimidate Americans peacefully exercising their right to worship freely,” the director said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
What we know about the arrests
Patel said that so far 39 people have been indicted “over their role in the Jan. 18 targeting on Cities Church.” There were multiple arrests last month, including journalist Don Lemon.
According to Reuters, all 39 people have been charged with conspiracy against the right of religious worship and violating a law that forbids obstructing access to houses of worship.
The indictment was unsealed on Friday and said that the agitators participated “in a coordinated takeover-style attack and engaged in acts of oppression, intimidation, threats, interference, and physical obstruction.”
It added that the defendants’ conduct caused the pastor and congregation to terminate the church’s worship service, and congregants had to flee the church building out of fear, per Fox News.
These people were accused of conducting a “takeover-style attack” when they entered the church. The indictment says the defendants aided and abetted one another through use of force, physical obstruction, threat of force, and intentionally injuring and intimidating people in the church.
It is also alleged that the group “conspired and agreed with one another to oppress, threaten, and intimidate multiple persons, including the clergy, staff, and congregants of the Cities Church,” according to Fox News.
Lemon and several others who were previously arrested have pleaded not guilty. Lemon used to work for CNN and is now an independent journalist, he livestreamed the demonstration and argued the arrest violated his First Amendment rights of freedom of the press.