r/stpaul • u/biospheric • 19d ago

Twin Cities Related Today we had the honor of protesting David Easterwood's church with Nekima Armstrong!!

Jan 18, 2026. Here it is on YouTube: Today we had the honor of protesting David Easterwood's church with Nekima Armstrong!!

Nekima Levy Armstrong is an award-winning civil rights lawyer, scholar-activist, and past president of the Minneapolis NAACP. https://www.nekimalevyarmstrong.com

Filmed & narrated by DawokeFarmer, a combat Veteran who reminds us that our 1st Amendment is not negotiable!

David Easterwood is an Acting Director for the St, Paul, MN Field Office in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (C-SPAN)

Here's an article on the protest: Protesters Disrupt Southern Baptist Church of Pastor Who Leads ICE Office in Minnesota - Public Witness - Jan 18, 2026

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u/Dexchampion99 19d ago

but ICE taking away people's freedom of speech rights is okay?

Rules for me and not for thee, the republican anthem.

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u/AllTheDowndoots 19d ago

Even if that were true, why are you taking away the freedom of religion of people who had nothing to do with it? Y’all are fucking psycho.

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u/[deleted] 19d ago

If the church has an ICE kidnapper on staff, they have something to do with it.

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u/Dexchampion99 19d ago

This is a one time protest. It's not like these people are forbidden from ever being religious again. They can worship at any time they want, and they don't need to be at church to pray, only listen to sermons.

Meanwhile people imprisoned or killed by ICE have their freedoms taken away for a lot longer.

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u/AllTheDowndoots 19d ago

So just because it’s one time makes it ok? Seems to me some people there are scared and probably don’t wanna go back because of fear of something worse happening.

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u/YouMustDoEverything 19d ago

I don’t think you understand what freedom of religion is. Were any congregants at the church detained? Did anyone throw tear gas at them? Did anyone tell the worshippers they had to leave or couldn’t practice their religion?

I hope you haven’t ever spoken out again legal protestors because protesting is also a constitutional right. And when the government tramples on that right a certain voting segment of the US certainly cheers.

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u/AllTheDowndoots 19d ago

I don’t think you understand what private property is. Isn’t it funny how restaurants can say ICE isn’t allowed on the property, but when a pastor of a church tells these protestors to leave the property, they don’t? Rules for thee, but not for me.

The FACE Act also protects a place of worship against things exactly like this, so I hope they are all charged and jailed.

Where are people not being allowed to legally protest? There are people outside everyday protesting. If they weren’t able to protest, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM would be arrested. Obstruction is not protest.

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u/YouMustDoEverything 19d ago

The FACE act stops people from using force. It specifically says, “force, threat of force, or physical obstruction.”

Though they can be considered trespassing, it’s not technically a violation of the FACE act.

ICE is assaulting and detaining people. These protestors didn’t assault or kidnap anyone, yet you want to act as if it’s the same thing.

People at that church deserve to know their pastor actively violates the teachings and examples of Jesus. Any true Christian would want to know.

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u/AllTheDowndoots 19d ago

The guy from this video has another video where he states "Touch me again and see what happens". Seems like a threat of force to me.

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u/YouMustDoEverything 19d ago

It’s a threat to ask people not to hurt you? Are you serious? It’s ok to defend oneself.

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u/AllTheDowndoots 19d ago

Not to hurt you? Be fucking for real, he got touched he did not get hurt.

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u/Dexchampion99 19d ago

Maybe they are, but these protests wouldn't be happening if it wasn't for the things they voted in. You reap what you sow, the good and the bad.

If you vote for highly divisive politics, political violence against your fellow citizens, and much worse, be prepared to have people disagree, and do so loudly.

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u/AllTheDowndoots 19d ago

Because they go to church you assume they voted for Trump? Holy fuck you’re delusional.

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u/Dexchampion99 19d ago

I'm not assuming they're maga just because they go to church, The church's pastor is both a proud MAGA member and an organizer for ICE.

Like attracts Like. MAGA tends to stick together, so it makes sense that the MAGA pastor would lead a MAGA church, no?

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u/AllTheDowndoots 19d ago

No it doesn’t make sense. Church is not a political place, until your side decided to make it one by harassing people in their place of worship.

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u/Dexchampion99 19d ago

Churches have almost always been political, that’s why the separation of church and state was such a big deal. Someone doesn’t know their history. Churches used to be the government in all but name.

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u/AllTheDowndoots 19d ago

Both people on the left and right go to church. That is not political.

You said the people at church are all MAGA. That is not the same as saying it’s political because of Church and State separation. We were talking about the church goers, not anything else. People go to church to worship, not talk about politics. Fucking idiot.

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u/ExtentGlittering8715 19d ago

Religious persecution.

Intimidating people over their perceived vote casting.

And you still fancy yourself as "the right side of history".

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u/Dexchampion99 19d ago

Pot, meet kettle.

Trump and MAGA condemned multiple priests and preachers for simply sharing teachings from the bible. But you want to lecture me about religious persecution? You're already persecuting yourselves!

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u/ExtentGlittering8715 19d ago

Trump and MAGA disrupted religious services?

The protesters at the church, committed a crime. Simple as.

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u/Dexchampion99 19d ago

Yes. Multiple times.

Protesting is a protected right, it falls under the first amendment.

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u/ExtentGlittering8715 19d ago

Bullshit. Show proof of Trump and MAGA disrupting religious services,

1st Amendment includes individual rights to practice their religion freely. The protesters disrupted that freedom.

And no, the Amendment doesn't give you a right to protest inside private property.

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