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Nekima Levy Armstrong: 5 facts on the activist arrested over Cities Church protest row in St. Paul
Nekima Levy Armstrong was arrested in St. Paul for allegedly helping organize a protest that stormed Cities Church during Sunday services, the DOJ said.
Nekima Levy Armstrong, a popular activist and organizer against the anti-immigration raids protests in St. Paul, Minnesota, was arrested on Thursday, the Department of Justice announced.
Armstrong allegedly played a key role in organizing the protest at the Cities Church in St. Paul on Sunday where a group of protestors stormed the church mid-service, AG Pam Bondi said Wednesday.
"Minutes ago, at my direction, DHS and FBI agents executed an arrest in Minnesota," AG Bondi wrote on x, announcing the arrest. “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.”
So, who is Nekima Levy Armstrong? And what was her role in the Cities Church protest row that allegedly also involved former CNN anchor Don Lemon? Let's find out.
5 Key Facts On Nekima Levy Armstrong
1. She Served As Minnesota NAACP President
Nekima Levy Armstrong previously served as the president of the Minnesota chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NCAAP) from 2015 to 2018. She gained national attention during protests following the police killing of Jamar Clark and later George Floyd.
Also read: Did Don Lemon just lose press credentials? Here's the truth behind viral claim
2. Active In Minnesota Protest Scene Since 2015
She has been a prominent figure in Minneapolis–St. Paul activism since 2015, often organizing demonstrations and speaking publicly on issues involving policing, immigration enforcement, and civil liberties.
3. Armstrong Is A Noted Academic
Armstrong served as a law professor in Minnesota, most notably at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, where she taught courses related to civil rights, race, and the law.
4. She Was Part Of A Lawsuit Over George Floyd's Death
Armstrong was named plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit filed in the US District Court in Minnesota in July 2020 on behalf of protesters injured during demonstrations after George Floyd’s murder.
5. Role In Cities Church Protest Unclear
Though the DOJ announced that she was a key figure in the protests at Cities Church on Sunday, the DOJ did not clarify details on her exact role. Further details are expected to come as charges are pressed against her.
