Montco Army veteran and journalist Don Lemon indicted for anti-ICE protest at St. Paul church.
A U.S. Army veteran from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, was arrested on Friday for his involvement in a protest held at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Ian Austin, 35, of Bryn Athyn, is among nine individuals facing felony charges related to the January 18 protest, which garnered attention after a video of Austin speaking against the Trump administration went viral just two days prior to his arrest.
Federal court documents reveal that the Department of Justice has indicted Austin on charges of conspiring to disrupt a church service, along with intending to “injure, intimidate, and interfere with exercise of right of religious freedom.” The protest also included the former CNN host Don Lemon as a defendant, along with another journalist. Their arrests have drawn criticism from various media and civil rights advocates.
Austin’s parents defend their son’s actions, stating that his protests align with his military values and commitment to social justice. They emphasize that his motivation stems from a dedication to humanity rather than political affiliations. After his Army service, during which he completed six deployments in Afghanistan and was awarded a Joint Commendation Medal with Valor Device, Austin faced challenges including a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. His personal experiences led him to become increasingly involved in social justice causes, particularly after the murder of George Floyd.
The protest at Cities Church was prompted in part by Pastor David Easterwood’s purported connections to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, which many protesters oppose. Protesters used the church space to raise awareness about immigration issues and to commemorate those affected by ICE enforcement.
During the protest, demonstrators chanted phrases such as “Renee Good,” “don’t shoot,” and “ICE out,” while some congregants expressed their disapproval of the protest’s location during worship. Federal indictments allege that the group, comprising approximately 20 to 40 individuals, intimidated church attendees and obstructed their movement within the church.
Austin is currently being held at the Sherburne County Jail in Minnesota. His attorney, Sarah Gad, who has taken on his case pro bono, anticipates that he could be released soon on his own recognizance. The case underscores a growing national conversation about the intersection of protest, religious freedom, and civil rights in America, especially in light of the current political climate.
This situation presents complex legal and ethical questions regarding the boundaries of protest within religious spaces, and the potential implications for activists and journalists alike. As the federal government responds to such protests with heightened scrutiny, advocates worry about the chilling effects on free speech and public dissent within democratic societies.
