American religious history includes a variety of protest movements and civil disobedience, but political protests occurring within houses of worship remain rare. This unique context is highlighted by the recent case against anti-ICE protesters in St. Paul, Minnesota. These activists interrupted a service at Cities Church, a Southern Baptist congregation, where one pastor is employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The protest led to the arrest of three demonstrators on federal charges after they interrupted the worship service.
According to Charles C. Haynes, senior fellow for religious liberty at the Freedom Forum, disrupting a worship service is against the law but serves as a method of raising awareness for their cause. He acknowledged the concept of civil disobedience, noting that historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. used similar strategies to bring attention to critical issues during the Civil Rights Movement.
Before her arrest, civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, who considers herself a Christian, took to social media to describe the protest in religious terms, asserting the necessity for ‘judgment to begin in the House of God’.
Many religious groups have recently denounced ICE's actions in Minnesota; however, the protest within Cities Church has generated relatively sparse support even among clergy. Kevin Ezell, president of the Southern Baptists’ North American Mission Board, criticized the protest as a desecration of a sacred space. Others echoed that sentiment, expressing concern over the precedent of such tactics being normalized in places of worship.
Legal experts point towards a complex interplay between religious freedom and the right to protest, emphasizing that the First Amendment protects free speech but doesn't necessarily shield disruptive behavior in sacred spaces. As protests targeting sensitive areas rise, churches are navigating how to address activism while ensuring safety for all congregants.
Penalties for the arrested protesters can be severe, carrying potential prison sentences for violations of constitutional rights, hinting that this action could have long-lasting repercussions for those involved.
