Levy Armstrong and Allen were taken into federal custody Thursday in connection with a protest last weekend at Cities Church in St. Paul.

MINNEAPOLIS — A federal judge ordered Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Allen, two community activists arrested in connection with a church protest over immigration enforcement, released from federal custody Friday afternoon.

Levy Armstrong’s nonprofit Racial Justice Network first reported the news about the activists’ impending release.

Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and activist, and Allen, a member of the St. Paul School Board, were among at least three people apprehended related to the disruption of a church service on Sunday. A man, William Kelly, was also arrested. 

Minutes ago at my direction, @HSI_HQ and @FBI agents executed an arrest in Minnesota.

So far, we have arrested Nekima Levy Armstrong, who allegedly played a key role in organizing the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

We will share more updates as they…

— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) January 22, 2026

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem posted a photo to social media shortly after the arrest, showing Levy Armstrong in custody and stating she is being charged with a federal crime under federal statute 18 USC 241, which deals with civil rights conspiracy.

“Despite aggressive attempts by federal prosecutors to delay and derail the process, the courts stood firm in defense of constitutional rights, due process, and the rule of law,” the organization said in its statement. “… We are profoundly grateful that the judicial system upheld justice today, and we demand that this ruling be honored immediately and without further frivolous appeals.”

Levy Armstrong and the others were arrested Thursday in response to a demonstration held on Jan. 18 at Cities Church in St. Paul. Federal authorities called the protest a “coordinated attack” on places of worship — claims RJN called a “gross distortion of facts.” 

“I surrendered myself peacefully, deliberately, and with intention,” Levy Armstrong said in a statement. “I demanded dignity, humanity, and respect, not just for myself, but for every person who has ever been brutalized, silenced, or disappeared by unchecked government power. We stood in protest because families are being torn apart, communities terrorized, and constitutional rights trampled. And we will not be intimidated into silence.”

RJN also released a video of Levy Armstrong’s apparent arrest, pushing back against the federal government‘s narrative — and apparently digitally altered photo — declaring she cried as she was being taken into custody.

“In response to widespread misinformation, we are releasing video footage of Nekima Levy Armstrong courageously controlling the terms of her surrender, demanding that federal agents treat her with dignity, humanity, and respect, demands with which they complied,” the statement said. “The video clearly shows Levy Armstrong asserting her rights, de-escalating the situation, and requiring agents to provide her water and humane treatment.”

KARE 11’s Lou Raguse spoke to Levy Armstrong’s attorney, Jordan Kushner, who said agents initially arrested the wrong woman at a downtown Minneapolis hotel where Levy Armstrong was staying.

Friends claim the woman wrongfully arrested and later released was Chauntyll Allen’s wife. After that arrest, Kushner stated that he was in contact with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to have Levy Armstrong turn herself in, but an initial agreement to do so was ultimately overruled and Levy Armstrong was arrested at the hotel.

Levy Armstrong added in her statement Friday, “This case underscores a disturbing national pattern: the criminalization of dissent, the targeting of Black activists, and the weaponization of federal agencies to suppress movements for justice.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to the thousands of community members, organizers, faith leaders, attorneys, elected officials, and everyday people who mobilized, protested, prayed, called, donated, and showed up. Your collective power forced accountability.

“Our fight is far from over.

“We will continue to organize, mobilize, and litigate until all charges are dropped against all detainees and meaningful accountability is imposed for this blatant abuse of power.

“All power to the people. Justice will not be silenced.”

As of 2 p.m. Friday, it was not clear whether the activists had been freed.