Because Religious Freedom of Worship Matters

Published: 23 January 2026

Statement from the Christian Alliance of America and Ohio Christian Alliance on the arrest of organizer of Sunday’s protest attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Ms. Armstrong, the radical activist organizer of Sunday’s attack on Cities Church, an evangelical church in St. Paul, Minnesota, was arrested this morning by FBI officers. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued the following brief statement, “At my direction, FBI agents executed an arrest in Minnesota. So far, we have arrested Nekima Levy Armstrong, who allegedly played a key role in organizing the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.”

Chris Long, President of Christian Alliance of America, made the following statement, “This national story has caused great concern in the Christian community. They are concerned that this attack, if not addressed by law enforcement officials, would encourage similar attacks in other locations across the nation. Our experience here in Ohio has taught us that when law enforcement swiftly reacts to these attacks against houses of worship, radical perpetrators are discouraged from additional unlawful activity.

“St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in downtown Columbus, was attacked on January 22, 2021 by radical activists with signs, bullhorns, shoutings, and profanities, and desecration of the altar as the church was celebrating Mass. The Sunday following the Friday attack, Attorney General Dave Yost and I attended Sunday morning services to show support for the congregation. We then called for city officials and law enforcement to track down the perpetrators and to file charges, which they did. As a result, the church suffered no further attacks.

 “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison stated that there was nothing he was going to do to charge the participants in the Cities Church protest attack. He was quoted as saying, “It’s just something they’ll have to live with.”  Also, because the mayor and city police took no action, it was imperative that federal authorities act, as they did with the arrest of Ms. Armstrong. No action would have sent the wrong message and invited more protest attacks, possibly even leading to violence against houses of worship. There is strong indication by the Justice Department that there will be additional arrests in the coming days in the Cities Church protest attack.”