US arrests 25 more people for January protest against ICE at Minnesota church

Miami (USA).- The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) announced this Friday the arrest of 25 more people for protesting against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a church in Minnesota in January, in which journalist Don Lemon, who worked at CNN, was also arrested. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed that the DOJ filed charges against 30 more people for demonstrating on January 18 during a religious service against the pastor of Saint Paul's church, who works for the Immigration Service, with slogans like 'Out ICE!'.

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"Under my orders, federal agents have already arrested 25 of them, with more to be added throughout the day. YOU CANNOT ATTACK A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. If you do, you cannot hide from us, we will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you," Bondi warned on his social media. With this, at least 39 people are charged for the protest, according to FBI director Kash Patel, which includes Lemon, a presenter with millions of followers known for having worked at CNN and who was covering the demonstration, although he is now free pending trial. The Donald Trump administration attempted in January to bring charges against eight people, including Lemon, by invoking a federal law that protects those who participate in religious services in places of worship. The journalist was accused of conspiracy to violate constitutional rights and of violating the 'FACE Act', which prohibits interfering, through the use of force or threats, with a person's right to practice their religion. "This Department of Justice SUPPORTS Christians and all Americans of faith," Bondi now maintained. But religious organizations have accused the Trump administration of being selective with the defense of religious freedom, as on January 23, also in Minnesota, they denounced the arrest of more than 100 members of the clergy in a protest at the Saint Paul-Minneapolis International Airport (MSP) against ICE. The current accusations reflect the controversy surrounding the protests against ICE raids in Minnesota, where immigration agents killed two Americans who opposed the operations in January, Renee Good and Alex Pretti.