Minnesota State Representative Leigh Finke, a Democrat, has become the center of controversy after expressing support for anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demonstrations at churches. The issue came to light following a protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, where activists disrupted a Sunday service, causing fear among the congregation.
During the incident, protesters entered the church, interrupting the worship with loud chants. Families with young children were reportedly distressed by the sudden disturbance. Footage from the scene shows individuals confronting churchgoers, with one activist livestreaming the encounter.
The response to the protest escalated when Representative Finke took to social media to defend the activists' actions and advocate for the continuation of such protests. Finke's statements suggested that churches affiliated with ICE leadership should be targets for nonviolent demonstrations, insisting that such pressure is crucial until ICE ceases operations in Minnesota and President Donald Trump's administration exits office.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is now reviewing the incident for potential violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. Although the FACE Act is often associated with abortion clinics, it also extends protections to places of religious worship, prohibiting obstruction and intimidation. DOJ official Alina Habba emphasized the seriousness with which the agency considers any threats or interference at houses of worship and indicated that prosecution could follow confirmed violations.
The demonstration at Cities Church was partly led by Black Lives Matter activist Nikema Armstrong and included activist William Kelly, who recorded his confrontational interactions with attendees. Kelly later referred to the church as a "white supremacist church" and expressed satisfaction with the protest after visiting a Somali mosque.
Finke, recognized as one of USA Today's "Women of the Year" in 2023, acknowledged the controversy but remained resolute in his stance. Drawing parallels to historical acts of civil disobedience, Finke cited the AIDS crisis demonstrations by ACT UP and WHAM as well as invoking Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of nonviolent resistance.
However, members of the Cities Church congregation have voiced their unease, stating the protest infringed upon a sacred space and that such tactics could lead to normalizing political intimidation within religious environments. Concerns have also been raised about the broader implications for ideological disputes within places of worship.
As the DOJ investigation continues, the incident has sparked a statewide debate on the balance between the right to protest and the legal protections of religious institutions. Legal experts note that the case may become a benchmark for how federal authorities weigh First Amendment rights against the need for unobstructed religious practice.
The incident and subsequent reactions underscore a broader national conversation about the intersection of activism, religious freedom, and the limits of civil disobedience.
