ST. PAUL, Minn. — The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating a protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, after demonstrators disrupted a Sunday service, alleging that one of the church’s pastors is also a local official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
A livestream posted on the Black Lives Matter Minnesota Facebook page, which organized the protest, shows a group of demonstrators chanting slogans including “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good” during the service.
Protesters claim that David Easterwood, a pastor listed on Cities Church’s website, also serves as the acting director of the ICE field office in St. Paul. They allege his office has conducted operations involving violent tactics and questionable arrests.
Civil rights attorney and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, who participated in the protest, said the demonstration aimed to raise public awareness about the pastor’s dual role.
“You expect someone to align with the teachings of Christianity — loving thy neighbor, showing care for each other, and spreading the Good News,” Armstrong said. “However, when you are also serving as the director of the ICE office in St. Paul, from my perspective, that’s a problem.”
Court filings show a David Easterwood in the ICE St. Paul office whose personal information matches that of the pastor listed on Cities Church’s website. Easterwood previously appeared with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem at a Minneapolis press conference in October.
During the service, Armstrong questioned another pastor about Easterwood’s involvement with the church. She said the pastor responded with “shame,” which Armstrong interpreted as acknowledgment of Easterwood’s dual role.
It was unclear whether Easterwood was present at the service, and he did not lead the portion of the service that was livestreamed. Cities Church did not respond to a request for comment, and Easterwood did not grant an interview.