MN - Journalist Don Lemon arrested for church protest, Minneapolis, 18 Jan 2026

[BayouBelle_LA]

I'm a part of this Christian community and this is quite honestly stunning news to me.

Can you please share the links that document the pastor's ties to white nationalism, as well as some of the higher ups in the church, as you've stated?

ETA: as an aside, I've asked twice now and have not seen any clarity on this.
IS this pastor considered a victim by WS standards?

He's named as such in the charging docs, called "Victim #1", so I'm just asking for some clarity.

I haven’t been able to find anything at all in MSM tying Cities Church to white nationalism. imo

 

[Ontario Mom]

I haven’t been able to find anything at all in MSM tying Cities Church to white nationalism. imo

Nor have I. So, this is quite a bold accusation.

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

On January 18, 2026, approximately 30 to 40 activists forcibly entered Cities Church in St. Paul during a time of worship. The group interrupted the service to demand the congregation denounce the federal government’s immigration enforcement, specifically targeting the role of Pastor David Easterwood as a field office director for ICE. Despite multiple requests from church leadership for the group to leave, the interference was so significant that services were forced to end prematurely. Video footage captured by the protesters themselves and others show them shouting insults and accusations at youth, children, and families. This is an unacceptable trauma.

Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention Standing for the Sanctity of Worship under the Rule of Law

January 19, 2026 ROCHESTER, MN – The Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention (MWBC) denounces the disruption of a peaceful worship service in St. Paul, Minnesota as a breach of Minnesota State Statute § 609.28. We ask for all levels of governmental officials to protect the religious freedom of...

www.mwbc.org

 

[Leilei]

the correct answer is "immediately." The fact that DL stayed 2 minutes or 7 or 13 is evidence that he was part of the demonstration.
It doesn't matter if you are a journalist, if you are asked to leave private property, you leave. You have no right to remain after that moment.

It is not and stating that as fact doesn't make it true.
If things were so danged chaotic inside and outside of the church due to this "attack", it may have taken some time for him and others, including church-goers, to leave.
IMO.

 

[branmuffin]

Many people who've been indicted by a GJ had their cases dismissed or were found not guilty. So GJ means little, especially when this administration has lost credibility with GJs.

MOO.

Especially, back in 1985, when Sol Wachtler, the Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals said a prosecutor could get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich. He was referring to how low the bar is when it comes to probable cause when asking for a grand jury indictment.

 

[HmmMysterious]

On January 18, 2026, approximately 30 to 40 activists forcibly entered Cities Church in St. Paul during a time of worship. The group interrupted the service to demand the congregation denounce the federal government’s immigration enforcement, specifically targeting the role of Pastor David Easterwood as a field office director for ICE. Despite multiple requests from church leadership for the group to leave, the interference was so significant that services were forced to end prematurely. Video footage captured by the protesters themselves and others show them shouting insults and accusations at youth, children, and families. This is an unacceptable trauma.

Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention Standing for the Sanctity of Worship under the Rule of Law

January 19, 2026 ROCHESTER, MN – The Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention (MWBC) denounces the disruption of a peaceful worship service in St. Paul, Minnesota as a breach of Minnesota State Statute § 609.28. We ask for all levels of governmental officials to protect the religious freedom of...

www.mwbc.org

This thread is about DON LEMON, not the protestors. He was there to FILM because he's a JOURNALIST. It's his FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT to do that. This is unpopular, but honestly Pastor Easterwood was asking for the blow-back. Should've thought about renouncing his links with ICE when they started killing innocent civilians. Or maybe leave the church.

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

It is not and stating that as fact doesn't make it true.
If things were so danged chaotic inside and outside of the church due to this "attack", it may have taken some time for him and others, including church-goers, to leave.
IMO.

No one was blocking the exit for the agitators to leave. It appears the parishioners were the ones being obstructed. imo

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

This thread is about DON LEMON, not the protestors. He was there to FILM because he's a JOURNALIST. It's his FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT to do that. This is unpopular, but honestly Pastor Easterwood was asking for the blow-back. Should've thought about renouncing his links with ICE when they started killing innocent civilians. Or maybe leave the church.

My opinion is different from yours. Don Lemon was disrupting.

Lemon: “Don’t Push Me”

 

[Leilei]

No one was blocking the exit for the agitators to leave. It appears the parishioners were the ones being obstructed. imo

That makes zero sense. Protesters magically teleported from inside the church to the outside, leaving the parishioners stuck inside?
How does that happen?
IMO.

 

[Eagles512]

I can’t believe people watched what Lemon did and are still defending him. He’s a dumb guy who isn’t smart enough in the moment to realize what he was doing and instead of admitting it, he just kept doubling down. Of course he deserves to be arrested. It’s cut and dry and had to be done to keep others from doing the same.

 

[branmuffin]

I haven’t been able to find anything at all in MSM tying Cities Church to white nationalism. imo

Here:

The Rejection of CRT in the Southern Baptist Convention - AAIHS

The May 1995 issue of Christianity Today, included the report of a leading African American voice in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) at the time, Rev. Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff, pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church of Houston, Texas. He stated, “The Southern Baptist Convention's history speaks...

www.aaihs.org

and here:

Southern Baptist Convention is STILL Rooted in White Supremacy – Alliance of Baptists

by Ben Sanders, III On November 30, 2020, the Council of Seminary Presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) issued a collective statement

allianceofbaptists.org

Below is a culmination of many articles, essays and theories of the SBC and white nationalism. Condensed by AI

The relationship between the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and white nationalism is defined by a history rooted in the defense of slavery and a modern, often contentious struggle to distance itself from those origins while grappling with the rise of modern Christian nationalism.

Historical Foundations

• Pro-Slavery Origins: The SBC was founded in 1845 specifically after splitting from Northern Baptists who refused to appoint slaveholders as missionaries.
• Theological Justification: Early leaders used the Bible to support slavery, segregation, and white supremacy.
• Confederate Support: During the Civil War, the SBC formally pledged support for the Confederacy.

• 1995 Apology: The SBC issued a formal resolution apologizing for its past role in sustaining slavery and racism.
• Condemning the Alt-Right: In 2017, the convention passed Resolution 10, which formally denounced "alt-right white supremacy" as "antithetical to the Gospel". The vote initially stalled due to leadership concerns over "strong language," causing an uproar before it eventually passed with a two-thirds majority.
• Expelling Churches: The SBC has taken action against individual congregations, such as expelling a Georgia church in 2018 for "intentional discriminatory acts" against a Black congregation.

Internal Tensions and Nationalism

• White Christian Nationalism (WCN): Critics argue that the SBC's patriarchal and authoritarian structures have served as a "prototype" or "fertile ground" for modern white Christian nationalism.
• Diverging Views: A 2024 Lifeway Research survey indicated that 58% of SBC members believe the government should not favor any religion, while 36% believe it should favor Christianity—suggesting a significant minority identifies with nationalist ideals.
• Racial Exodus: Ongoing tensions over systemic racism and the rejection of Critical Race Theory (CRT) have led to the #LeaveLOUD movement, where prominent Black pastors and members have left the denomination.
• Demographic Shifts: Despite these tensions, the SBC is becoming more diverse; over half of its newly established churches are predominantly non-white.

Internal Tensions and Nationalism

• White Christian Nationalism (WCN): Critics argue that the SBC's patriarchal and authoritarian structures have served as a "prototype" or "fertile ground" for modern white Christian nationalism.
• Diverging Views: A 2024 Lifeway Research survey indicated that 58% of SBC members believe the government should not favor any religion, while 36% believe it should favor Christianity—suggesting a significant minority identifies with nationalist ideals.
• Racial Exodus: Ongoing tensions over systemic racism and the rejection of Critical Race Theory (CRT) have led to the #LeaveLOUD movement, where prominent Black pastors and members have left the denomination.
• Demographic Shifts: Despite these tensions, the SBC is becoming more diverse; over half of its newly established churches are predominantly non-white.

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

That makes zero sense. Protesters magically teleported from inside the church to the outside, leaving the parishioners stuck inside?
How does that happen?
IMO.

No, the agitators remained blocking the aisles, stairway to children, and exits. They remained even after they were asked to leave including Lemon. imo

 

[Caylee Advocate]

Let's do a Monty Hall shall we? LET'S MAKE A DEAL.
Let's agree that some people think Don Lemon is a great journalist and some people think he is the worst thing since the new Darrin replaced the old Darrin on Bewitched. In other words, some people think Lemon is good, others think he is awful.
DEAL?
Was Lemon there reporting or participating? That is the question.
Thank you
P.S. Shameless plug for our Websleuths YouTube LIVE tonight. We will be discussing the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie. We go live at 10:30 PM Eastern. CLICK HERE to join us.

BBM:

IMO, he was doing a little of both, he does love the attention.