LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A group of protestors who invaded a St. Paul, Minnesota church service on Sunday are facing possible federal charges for their antics.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) says it is investigating the agitators after a video showed them barreling their way into a Sunday morning service and accusing one of the pastors of working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Children in the sanctuary appear terrorized, with one clinging to an adult and crying.
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Disgraced CNN anchor Don Lemon, who came in with group from the Racial Justice Network, is now trying to buffer himself from charges by claiming he is a journalist and protected under the First Amendment. U.S. Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division said Lemon will be charged under the “Ku Klux Klan Act” of 1871.
A cautionary tale for Michigan churches.
While Americans wait and see if investigations turn into mass arrests and charges, it begs this question: What should Michigan church congregations do if a mob shows up at their doors?
Lansing-based attorney David Kallman told Michigan News Source the first step is to call the police.
“Churches have the right to ask protestors to leave and stop illegal interruptions of services,” Kallman said. “If they refuse, the church should call the police immediately and ask for their removal and prosecution.”
In addition, Kallman mentioned the importance of trained security teams at houses of worship. “Security teams should be careful to not get physical with anyone,” Kallman said. “Just calmly keep asking them to leave and stop their illegal activities.”
“Just the beginning.”
Attorney David Kallman told Michigan News Source that Sunday’s events in Minnesota are not a one-and-done incident and that Christian congregations statewide should not bury their heads in the sand. “This is just the beginning of this type of terroristic activities against churches,” Kallman said. “I hope Pam Bondi and the DOJ will follow through on their promise to prosecute these people.”
Saving FACE.
Potential prosecutions of the protestors could hinge on a more than 30-year-old law. The FACE Act (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act) is a 1994 federal law that prohibits violence, threats, intimidation, and property damage at abortion clinics and religious places of worship. It carries a maximum of 11 years in prison along with a $250,000 fine.
Kallman said while he is doubtful that Michigan’s current government will provide assistance to churches, congregations should familiarize themselves with FACE.
“[Churches should] still ask for state and local help,” Kallman advised. “If they refuse to provide assistance, let the media know they refuse to protect the churches and parishioners.”
Brush up on the First Amendment.
A main talking point among anti-ICE protestors recently is that their actions are protected by the U.S. Constitution. However, they are likely confusing “protest” with the right to “peaceably assemble.”
The First Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
That, along with FACE, should give protestors pause. Kallman said, “Protestors need to understand that if a grandma can be sent to prison for 11 years for silently praying at abortion clinics, they should be very concerned that they will soon be going to federal prison if they do not stop.”
