Church congregant sues alleged Minnesota church protesters

Church Congregant Files Lawsuit Against Minnesota Protesters

A St. Paul church member has initiated a federal lawsuit against a group accused of disrupting a worship service last month. The suit, filed by Ann Doucette in the U.S. District Court for Minnesota, claims that the January 18 demonstration at Cities Church interfered with her ability to practice her faith, resulting in emotional harm and trauma. The protest, which included journalist Don Lemon and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, also involved Georgia Fort, Will Kelly, Jerome Richardson, Trahern Crews, Jamael Lundy, and school board member Chauntyll Allen.

Alleged Disruption and Legal Claims

Doucette alleges the demonstrators engaged in coordinated conduct, organizing meetings and promoting the protest through social media. According to the complaint, the group entered the church on the morning of January 18, halting the service and chanting “ICE Out!” and “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot!” as they blocked aisles. The lawsuit describes the protesters as confronting the pastor and congregants in a threatening manner, with their loud chants and aggressive gestures causing significant distress and fear.

“As a result of Defendants’ actions, the worship service was disrupted, congregants experienced fear and distress, and Plaintiff’s ability to freely exercise her religion in a private place of worship was unlawfully interfered with,” the complaint states.

The suit names the defendants in multiple capacities, including civil conspiracy, aiding and abetting, intentional infliction of emotional distress, interference with religious exercise, and trespassing. Doucette, who filed the case without legal representation, claims Lemon specifically livestreamed the protest, highlighting congregants’ fear and appearing to derive satisfaction from the disruption.

Arrests and Federal Charges

Lemon was arrested in California in January and charged with violating federal civil rights law after covering the St. Paul protest. He was released on a personal recognizance bond before the federal indictment against him and seven others was returned. The same indictment also includes Georgia Fort, Trahern Crews, and Jamael Lundy, who all pleaded not guilty and were granted bond.

“I wanted to say this isn’t just about me, this is about all journalists, especially in the United States,” Lemon stated outside the court.

Nekima Levy Armstrong, a Minneapolis-based civil rights attorney, was also arrested for her involvement in the protest. The incident gained national attention when the White House shared altered photos of her appearing to cry, which fueled public debate. The lawsuit adds to ongoing legal actions in the Twin Cities, where tensions persist over the Trump administration’s immigration policies and the recent fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Doucette and seven defendants did not respond to requests for comment. The case underscores the broader conflict between political activism and religious freedom in public spaces, with the demonstrators citing the pastor’s role as an ICE field office director as their justification for the protest.