Pastor Corey Brooks Condemns Anti-ICE Protests Disrupting Church Services
CHICAGO, Ill. — Pastor Corey Brooks, founder of Project H.O.O.D., has voiced deep concern following a wave of anti-ICE protests that have recently disrupted church services, including a notable incident in St. Paul, Minnesota. Brooks, who is currently undertaking a Walk Across America, described these interruptions as a violation of sacred ground and an alarming trend of politicizing places of worship.
The incident in question occurred at Cities Church in St. Paul, where protesters stormed a service led by Pastor David Easterwood, who also serves as the local director for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office. The demonstrators demanded “justice for Renee Good” and chanted slogans such as “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot,” a phrase linked to the controversial Ferguson protests and widely discredited in recent years.
Brooks expressed that such actions turn houses of God into battlegrounds, undermining the sanctity of worship and overshadowing the gospel message. “Is anything holy anymore? Or is everything political?” he asked, lamenting the prioritization of political grievances over spiritual reverence.
The pastor’s concerns are heightened by the context of ongoing law enforcement efforts in Minnesota. ICE has been actively engaged in Operation Metro Surge, targeting dangerous criminals including child rapists, murderers, and violent offenders. Recent arrests included a registered sex offender convicted of fondling a child and another individual charged with the rape of a minor. Despite these efforts to protect communities, protesters continue to call for the abolition of ICE, ignoring the agency’s role in public safety.
Brooks recounted his personal experience witnessing the fallout of these protests while traveling through Alabama during his cross-country journey. He emphasized the irony and tragedy of activists rallying against an agency dedicated to apprehending some of the nation’s most dangerous criminals.
The pastor’s remarks come amid a broader national debate about immigration enforcement and the role of ICE, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security. While critics argue that ICE’s tactics can be heavy-handed, supporters highlight the agency’s responsibility in maintaining law and order.
Religious leaders and communities nationwide are grappling with how to respond to the intersection of faith and political activism. Brooks’ call for respect toward sacred spaces echoes concerns raised by other faith leaders who warn against allowing political agendas to overshadow spiritual missions.
For more information on ICE’s operations and enforcement priorities, visit the official ICE website. The Department of Homeland Security provides additional resources on immigration enforcement policies and community engagement initiatives.
As the nation continues to debate immigration and law enforcement, Brooks urges Americans to “rise above the chaos” and preserve the sanctity of worship spaces, reminding all that churches are meant to be places of prayer, not political protest.
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