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City Cast Twin Cities

⛓️ Church protesters arrested

January 23, 2026 · Special thanks to Anna Weggel and Sean McPherson for editing City Cast Twin Cities this week!

Hey Twin Cities – it’s Adam today. If you're braving the cold to participate in the Day of Truth and Freedom march at The Commons this afternoon, stay warm, stay safe, and say hi. We'll be out covering the protest on our social media all day, so you can follow along from home if being outside in -10° isn't your thing.

Today’s Must-Know

A woman in a hot pink suit speaking at a podium supported by a large crowd behind her holding signs demanding justice for Renee Good
Attorney and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong speaking at a press conference on Jan. 8, the day after Renee Macklin Good was killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. (Star Tribune via Getty Images)

Organizers of St. Paul Church Protest Arrested

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced yesterday that the HSI and FBI had arrested attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, St. Paul School Board member Chauntyll Allen, and U.S. Army veteran William Kelly in connection with the protest at the Cities Church in St. Paul. Bondi said there are more arrests to come. [MPR]

  • What were they protesting? Activists interrupted a service at the Cities Church in St. Paul with chants of "ICE out now" after learning David Easterwood, one of the pastors at the church, also serves as Acting Director of ICE's St. Paul Field Office. [New York Times]
  • How is protesting illegal? DOJ officials have said they are considering charging the protesters under the FACE (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances) Act. The FACE Act makes it illegal to use force, threats of force, or physical obstruction to intimidate or injure individuals who are exercising their First Amendment right to religious freedom or seeking or providing reproductive health services. [CBS News]
  • More context: Abortion providers sounded the alarms in early 2025 when Trump's DOJ announced it would be weakening the FACE Act by only enforcing violations under "extraordinary circumstances," such as cases involving death or serious property damage. No one was killed, and no significant property damage occurred at the Cities Church protest. [NPR]

What the Cities Are Talking About

"A difficult operating environment": Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino credited the organization and communication of anti-ICE community members and "a very poor response" from the mayor and governor with making immigration enforcement operations more difficult in the Twin Cities. [Star Tribune]

ICE detained a 5-year-old: Liam, a prekindergartner at Columbia Heights Valley View Elementary, was detained by ICE along with his father and is believed to be in a detention facility in Texas, with no information on when or if he might return. The agents allegedly used Liam as "bait" by having him knock on the door to the house to see if anyone else was home. According to Liam's teacher, "He’s a bright young student, and he’s so kind and loving. He comes into class every day, and he just brightens the room." [Sahan Journal]

A magazine containing ammunition on the snow
After clashing with South Minneapolis residents and deploying tear gas and pepper spray, immigration enforcement agents left a magazine of live bullets on the ground. (Courtesy of Rob Moe)

Tear gas incoming: Wednesday morning, a court struck down a judge's order that prevented federal agents from using tear gas and other forms of force against peaceful protesters. A few hours later, federal agents, including Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino, deployed tear gas against protesters in South Minneapolis. [FOX9 / KARE11]

Freed: A federal judge ordered the release of Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, who were arrested last week after an immigration enforcement agent shot Aljorna in the leg. FBI agent Terry Getsch testified that eyewitnesses said the officer shot Aljorna as he was fleeing and entering his house. Aljorna's attorney said that if that is true, it's "unreasonable, it’s unlawful, and [the agent] could be held accountable." [Sahan Journal]

We have great food: Ten Minnesota chefs and restaurants have been named semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards. Ann Ahmed of Khâluna, Alex Roberts of Alma, Shigeyuki Furukawa of Kado No Mise, and Diane Moua of Diane’s Place were among the many Twin Cities chefs to receive the recognition. [Star Tribune]

What to Do

Friday, Jan 23

Saturday, Jan 24

Sunday, Jan 25

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A flyer where the left shows an old photo of a man with a banjo and the right reads "the bronze buckaroo film & songster show"
The Bronze Buckaroo Film and Songster Show is next Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (Courtesy of The Cedar Cultural Center)

We're giving away a pair of tickets for Dom Flemons Presents The Bronze Buckaroo Film & Songster Show at The Cedar Cultural Center, taking place Thursday, Jan. 29, at 7:30 p.m. Dom Flemons, The American Songster, offers a captivating history of Black Cowboys and the roots of American music through an innovative concert experience.

For a chance to win a pair of tickets, simply reply to this email with your full name in the body of the reply. The winner will be chosen at random on Monday, Jan. 26, at 9 a.m. Good luck!

— Adam Sage

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