Agitators Storm St. Paul Church During Service; Videos Show Protesters Chanting “Justice for Renee Good” as Organizers Say Claims About ICE Ties Are Unverified
Protesters entered Cities Church in St. Paul during a Sunday service, chanting “Justice for Renee Good,” amid broader demonstrations after the Jan. 7 killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent; key claims remain unverified.
Key takeaways
- Video evidence: Clips show a group chanting “Justice for Renee Good” inside Cities Church, disrupting a service.
- Claims unverified: Reporters have not independently confirmed that a pastor at the church is affiliated with ICE.
- Broader context: The action follows widespread protests after the Jan. 7 killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent.
- Safety and legal concerns: Religious leaders and law enforcement warn about targeting houses of worship; legal consequences may apply.
Main reporting
What happened
St. Paul, Minnesota (Times Media Service) — During a Sunday worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, a group of people entered the sanctuary and chanted “Justice for Renee Good.” Two short video clips circulating online show demonstrators standing in the center aisle and chanting while a pastor appeared to be speaking.
What the videos show
Two short clips shared on social media and messaging platforms capture the disruption:
- In the first clip, several people chant inside the sanctuary as the service begins, repeating “Justice for Renee Good” and calls such as “Who needs justice? We need justice.”
- In the second clip, the camera pans to a group standing in the center aisle while a pastor is at the front. The person filming describes the action as a “clandestine mission” and alleges a pastor is tied to ICE.
- No footage made available to this reporter shows physical violence inside the church, but worshippers were reportedly frightened and leaders expressed concern.
“A clandestine mission,” said the person filming, and the chant “Justice for Renee Good” is repeated several times in the videos.
Verification and reporting limits
Investigative reporters sought confirmation from local law enforcement, Cities Church leadership, and major Twin Cities news outlets. At the time of publication, there were no independent news reports or official statements corroborating the claim that a pastor at Cities Church is affiliated with ICE or that such an affiliation motivated the disruption.
Review of local police pages and mainstream outlets found no specific press release about the church disruption. While the broader protests and the Jan. 7 investigation into the death of Renee Good have been widely covered, the church incident itself remains unconfirmed beyond the online videos.
Context: Protests after the Minneapolis ICE shooting
The church disruption occurred amid several days of demonstrations across Minneapolis and St. Paul following the Jan. 7 shooting in which an ICE agent, publicly identified in reporting as Jonathan Ross, fatally shot Renee Good. The shooting has prompted vigils, demands for independent investigations, and widespread public anger.
Religious leaders and law enforcement responses
Religious leaders locally and nationally expressed alarm at reports that houses of worship are being targeted. Clergy told reporters that disruptions of worship services raise safety concerns and questions about both the rights to protest and to worship without interruption.
Law enforcement officials emphasized balancing the right to protest with public safety and the congregation’s right to undisturbed worship. St. Paul police and public-safety officials were approached for comment; as of this report, they had not issued a public statement directly linking arrests or citations to the church disruption in the videos.
Legal and public-safety implications
Legal experts note that entering a church and disrupting a service can carry criminal penalties — depending on local statutes such as trespass or disorderly conduct — and civil remedies may be available to harmed congregations.
Religious institutions may also reassess security, emergency planning, and coordination with local law enforcement to reduce the risk of future disruptions.
What is known and what remains unproven
Known:
- Videos exist showing protesters inside a St. Paul church chanting in the sanctuary.
- The chants focus on “Justice for Renee Good”, linking the action to the Jan. 7 incident.
- The broader protests over the death of Renee Good have drawn sustained attention.
Unproven:
- Whether a pastor at the church is affiliated with ICE, as alleged in the video.
- Whether the group had confirmed intelligence that led them to target this specific church.
- Whether the disruption caused physical injury or whether criminal charges will be filed.
Sources consulted
Reporters reviewed public records, local agency pages, and video clips circulating online. Key sources checked include:
- Official U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website for background on ICE and public statements
- St. Paul Police Department general information and news page
- Minneapolis city government and public-safety pages for local investigation context
- Minnesota public media for broader coverage of protests related to the Jan. 7 incident
- Star Tribune local reporting and search pages
- Video clips provided by sources circulating on social media (not hosted on a verified news site at time of reporting)
Implications for Utah
Economic: A single St. Paul incident is unlikely to cause direct economic fallout in Utah, but a regional trend of targeting religious institutions could raise security costs for Utah congregations — hiring security, installing cameras, or adjusting insurance.
Political: Utah’s conservative leaders — who emphasize law, order, and faith-based values — may react strongly to reports of sanctuary disruptions. The linkage to ICE in the videos could prompt local officials to reaffirm support for immigration officers and push for protections for houses of worship.
Social and cultural: Utah’s active faith communities may experience heightened anxiety; some congregants might skip services or demand added protections. The incident may deepen local polarization between calls for accountability in law enforcement and defense of religious sanctity.
Practical applications for Utah residents
- Review building security: locks, cameras, and access points.
- Establish an emergency plan for disruptions and train ushers on de-escalation.
- Coordinate with local police for rapid response protocols.
- Consider legal options and community dialogues to reduce polarization while protecting worship rights.
Reporting next steps
Journalists will continue to seek comment from Cities Church leadership, St. Paul police, and organizers of anti-ICE demonstrations to verify organizers’ motives and any alleged ties to ICE. Ongoing investigations into the Jan. 7 death of Renee Good and the actions of ICE agent Jonathan Ross remain central to understanding the protests’ intensity.
This report is based on video evidence circulating online and public records reviewed at the time of publication. Additional information, official statements, or corroborating reports will be added as they become available.
