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U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced multiple arrests in the City Church protest on X this morning, including local candidate Jamael Lundy who is running to represent the northern half of West St. Paul in the state senate.
The day of the protest Lundy posted a video that mentioned his participation:
“Earlier this morning met up with a group of protestors and got in some good trouble highlighting a church in the Twin Cities that has a pastor that is a ICE field director. When Minnesotans say we want ICE out, we mean it.”
The Church Protest
What happened: On January 18, about three dozen protesters disrupted Sunday services at the Cities Church in St. Paul because one of the church’s pastors, David Easterwood, is the director of a local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office. Three people were arrested last week, including activist Nekima Levy Armstrong and St. Paul School Board Member Chauntyll Allen. Others arrested with Lundy this week include journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort.
- Reaction: “This is a direct assault on the First Amendment,” Lundy wrote in a post about the arrest of Levy Armstrong and Allen. “I refuse to accept a reality where peaceful protest is treated more harshly than violent federal agents.”
- Involvement: While Lundy talked about getting in “good trouble” with the protest, his role wasn’t immediately clear. Rumor circulated, especially in right-wing news sources, that he did enter the church. Lundy did not respond to our request for comment when we reached out last week.
- Opponent: “This strategy is intended to terrorize people who speak up,” said West St. Paul City Council Member Robyn Gulley, who is one of Lundy’s opponents in the senate race, in a statement about the arrest posted to social media. “Our campaign team calls for their immediate release and dropping all charges against protesters and journalists for exercising their first amendment rights.”
- Context: The church protests drew sharp criticism from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOH), which vowed to prosecute. Meanwhile, Lemon’s attorney points out the DOJ was quick to launch a civil rights investigation into the church protesters, but not the ICE agent who killed Rene Good.
Local Campaign
Just days before the protest, Lundy launched a campaign for state Senate District 65, which includes the northern half of West St. Paul. He’s been actively campaigning, appearing at events in West St. Paul, and earning the endorsement of Residents of Color Collective founder KaeJae Johnson and Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega.
- The race: Lundy is in a three-way DFL race for the seat vacated by the retirement of Sen. Sandy Pappas with Gulley and community activist Raeisha Williams.
- Who: Lundy is the intergovernmental affairs coordinator in the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and is married to St. Paul Council Member Anika Bowie.
- Vocal from the start: Lundy’s campaign announcement directly addressed ICE: “I’m running because these are serious times—and right now, Saint Paul is under siege. Lawless federal actions are targeting our neighbors, destabilizing families, and creating fear in communities that have long helped build this city.”
Update: Release and Statement
According to the Star Tribune, a U.S. judge approved Lundy’s release on bond today, rejecting the federal government’s argument to keep him detained.
Lundy’s wife, Anika Bowie, released a statement about the arrest earlier today:
At 6:15 a.m. this morning, my husband and I were violently awakened by the sight of multiple heavily armed federal agents at our home. To watch my husband, Jamael Lundy, taken into custody in such a militarized and traumatic manner is something no family should ever have to endure. …
What happened this morning was not about public safety. It was about intimidation. It was about punishment. And it was about sending a message to those who dare to speak out against injustice.
Feb. 2, 2026 Update: Candidate Statement
On Saturday, Lundy released a statement, noting that his counsel had been in touch with the U.S. Attorney’s Office prior to his arrest to turn himself in if they were going to issue an arrest warrant. He described his arrest by armed officers with weapons drawn as “unnecessary” and “political persecution”:
“I will not allow President Trump to arrest me out of this campaign. I will continue my campaign for Minnesota State Senate District 65. …
“Minnesotans look out for one another. We protect our neighbors, donate to our neighbors, protest for our neighbors, and yes, we go to jail for our neighbors regardless of documentation status and we are better for it. …
“For those looking for ways to support or fight back, I urge you to love your neighbor harder, uplift those under attack, and make your voice heard by participating fully in our democratic process. Do not give up on our democracy. Do not back down.”
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He has my vote.