News - تعطلت خدمة الكنيسة في مينيسوتا بسبب مظاهرة مناهضة للهجرة، والقادة يطالبون بالعدالة

In an incident that has sparked a national conversation about religious freedom and protest rights, Christian leaders are speaking out following a disruption at Cities Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota. A group of anti-ICE activists interrupted the church's Sunday service, confronting the congregation and calling for accountability of a pastor allegedly associated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Though the targeted pastor was absent during the service, the lead pastor, Jonathan Parnell, expressed his dismay and called the protest 'shameful.' The protestors, identified as part of the Racial Justice Network, voiced their demands loudly in the sanctuary, chanting slogans against ICE's actions. The event raised tensions and prompted fear among the churchgoers, including families and children who were present during the incident. Pastor Jonathan Parnell took to social media and asked for local, state, and national authorities to safeguard the constitutional right to worship peacefully, while also inviting a civil discussion about the concerns related to ICE operations. He emphasized the church's mission of spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ, a message of love, beyond the boundaries defined by cultural, political, or national lines. The Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention, representing the church, stood behind Parnell's call for protection of religious freedoms. Executive Director Trey Turner voiced concerns for their congregations, a majority of which are ethnic groups, emphasizing their sensitivity to the community's struggles regardless of legal status. Prominent Christian figures, including Franklin Graham and Paula White, condemned the protest, framing the event as a violation of worship rights. They are advocating for a legal investigation by the Department of Justice, highlighting the necessity of safeguarding religious expressions in America. President Donald Trump's administration has stepped in, indicating the possibility of legal actions being pursued against those involved in the disruption. Evangelist Franklin Graham described the protest as a symptom of today's political divisions, accusing the activists of infringing on the rights of peaceful worshipers. Paula White, serving as a senior adviser to the White House Faith Office, specifically criticized the participation and support of individuals like former CNN anchor Don Lemon. She urged Christian communities to advocate for religious freedoms and called for the arrest of those who partook in the church invasion. The incident has opened a wider dialogue on the balance between the right to protest and the sanctity of worship spaces, as religious leaders and the administration grapple with the incident's implications.