Court Blocks Government's Attempt to Charge More Protesters in Minnesota Church Dispute

A recent decision by a U.S. appeals court has put a halt to the Justice Department's efforts to charge five more individuals involved in a protest at a Minnesota church.

The Protest and Initial Charges

The protest, which took place earlier this month, targeted a pastor allegedly linked to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling is the latest hurdle for the Justice Department, which has been aggressively pursuing those who disrupted a church service.

Court Documents and Initial Refusal

Court documents, made public on Saturday, show that the government's actions have been extensive. Initially, a federal magistrate judge refused to approve arrest warrants for the five proposed defendants, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who recorded the demonstration. The judge found that there wasn't enough evidence to support the charges. However, the judge did approve charges against three alleged leaders of the protest.

Charges Against Activists

The three defendants—activists Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly—are facing charges of conspiracy against rights. They are accused of intimidating and harassing parishioners during the protest. The activists, however, claim that the Trump administration is targeting them in retaliation for their protest.

Justice Department's Appeal

The Justice Department had asked the chief trial judge and later the appeals court to step in and approve warrants for the five other proposed defendants. They argued that there was a risk of similar disruptions happening again. But the chief U.S. District Court judge in Minnesota, Patrick Schiltz, called the Justice Department's request "unheard of" in his district and under the 8th Circuit, which covers seven states.

Appeals Court's Decision

All three judges on the 8th Circuit panel agreed not to intervene. One judge, Leonard Steven Grasz, noted that while there might be enough evidence to justify charges against the other proposed defendants, the prosecutors should follow the proper channels to get the warrants approved.

Justice Department's Options

Despite this setback, the Justice Department still has options. They can ask a grand jury to approve charges against the demonstrators or present additional evidence to the magistrate judge.

Case Significance

This case has gained significant attention, especially as the Trump administration cracks down on immigration and vows to protect Christian services. The activists' claims of retaliation add another layer of complexity to the situation.