38 Minnesota Church Protest Defendants Seek Dismissal of Federal Charges
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 31
38 Minnesota Church Protest Defendants Seek Dismissal of Federal Charges
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 31
Summary
Nearly 50 filings hit federal court in St. Paul on Monday as 38 defendants mounted their broadest challenge yet to charges tied to a January church protest.
One key motion seeks dismissal of the entire case, arguing Homeland Security Investigations lacked authority to investigate the offenses prosecutors ultimately brought.
Prosecutors accuse the group of two conspiracies: depriving Cities Church congregants of their rights by disrupting a Jan. 18 service and violating the FACE Act.
The protest targeted a pastor at the St. Paul church who also served as acting director of ICE's local office during Operation Metro Surge, the administration's Minnesota immigration raids.
The case is one of two prominent Minnesota prosecutions stemming from protests against the raids; in the other, 15 people face conspiracy charges tied to impeding federal agents.