Justice Department Charges Activist Over Minnesota Church Protest Amid Media Silence
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Federal authorities have charged activist Nekima Levy Armstrong under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act for her role in a disruptive protest at an evangelical church in Minnesota earlier this month. The incident, which involved Armstrong and a group of at least 20 protesters interrupting a Sunday worship service, has drawn sharp criticism for violating legal protections of religious assembly, even as major broadcast networks have largely downplayed the event.
On January 18, Armstrong led a contingent of racial justice protesters into Cities Church, an evangelical congregation in Minnesota. The group interrupted the sermon with chants such as “Justice for Renee Good” and “Hands up, don’t shoot,” causing the church to empty as the disruption unfolded. Police arrived roughly 45 minutes later, at which point the protesters ceased their actions.
The Department of Justice swiftly responded by filing charges against Armstrong, citing violations of the FACE Act, a federal statute designed to protect individuals’ rights to access reproductive health services and religious worship without obstruction or intimidation. The law, enforced by the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, aims to prevent exactly this type of interference with protected activities.
Despite the gravity of the charges and the clear legal implications, major broadcast networks ABC, CBS, and NBC have offered minimal coverage of the incident. According to media watchdog reports, these networks collectively devoted less than three minutes to the story in their morning and evening newscasts through the middle of the week following the protest. This contrasts sharply with the extensive coverage such disruptions would receive if they occurred at abortion clinics or mosques, highlighting a perceived bias in reporting.
Media analysts note that the networks’ reluctance to fully report on the church invasion may stem from discomfort with portraying racial justice protests in a negative light, despite the clear violation of the churchgoers’ rights. The Federal Communications Commission regulates broadcast standards but does not mandate equal coverage of such events, leaving editorial decisions to the networks.
Armstrong, a well-known activist in the Minneapolis area, has been a vocal advocate for racial justice causes. However, legal experts emphasize that activism does not exempt individuals from compliance with laws protecting religious freedom and public order. The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division has underscored its commitment to enforcing the FACE Act impartially, regardless of the political or social motivations behind protests.
This episode has reignited debates about the balance between free speech and the right to worship without disruption. Religious liberty advocates argue that the protest constituted an unlawful invasion that infringed on the congregation’s ability to practice their faith peacefully. Meanwhile, some supporters of the protest frame it as a necessary act of civil disobedience to highlight social injustices.
As the legal proceedings against Armstrong move forward, questions remain about how media outlets will cover similar incidents in the future and whether federal enforcement of the FACE Act will serve as a deterrent against protests targeting places of worship. The Department of Justice has not indicated any plans to alter its enforcement approach, signaling a firm stance on protecting constitutional rights across all communities.
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