The Nonviolent Nine: Court Updates For Those Charged in Church Protest

Nine people, ranging from journalists to long-time community leaders to military veterans, have been charged in relation to the Cities Church protest on January 18. Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong and Saint Paul School Board member Chauntyll Allen, said in interviews at the church they were there to raise concerns about one of the church’s pastors, David Easterwood, also working as the acting field director of ICE’s St. Paul office.

Days after the protest, Nekima, Chauntyll and Army veteran William Kelly were arrested. Then came the arrests of independent journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon who were not part of the protest. They were there documenting the event as journalists. Jerome Richardson, a college student, posted a video online stating he was working as a member of the press that day serving as Don Lemon's field producer while he was in Minnesota.

The three other individuals arrested are Minnesota Senate candidate Jamael Lundy, Black Lives Matter Minnesota co-founder Trahern Crews, and Army veteran Ian Austin.

Federal prosecutors had argued that all nine should be jailed, claiming the allegations tied to the protest were violent. The judge rejected that claim and ordered the release of all the defendants as their cases move forward.

Upcoming Hearings

Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Allen, William Kelly, Don Lemon and Jerome Richardson all have arraignment hearings on Friday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. at the U.S. District Court in Saint Paul with Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko.

Georgia Fort and Trahern Crews have arraignment hearings on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 1 p.m., also at the U.S. District Court in Saint Paul with Judge Micko.

Jamael Lundy had an arraignment hearing on Jan. 30. The next court date for Ian Austin is not yet available via court records.