Protest or Prayer: Anti-ICE Activists Turn Church into the Latest Battleground

In a groundbreaking and controversial move, a group of anti-ICE protesters disrupted a church service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, highlighting the tensions surrounding immigration policies in a place of worship. The protest, led by Chauntyll Allen—a prominent figure in the local Black Lives Matter movement—sparked significant discussions not only around immigration but also about the role and responsibilities of faith leaders in the community. Allen made headlines for her firm stance, saying she wouldn’t hesitate to repeat the act, as she believes confronting such issues is necessary for community awareness.

As tensions mounted, so too did the attention, particularly because the incident was live-streamed by CNN’s Don Lemon, further amplifying the already potent atmosphere. While many churchgoers expressed outrage, Allen argued that the discomfort caused in the sanctuary was nothing compared to the turmoil ICE brings to families. The rhetoric surrounding this protest has opened up a divisive dialogue about how far activism can and should go, particularly in sacred spaces. Are places of worship still separated from political questions, or is this just the new frontier for activism?