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Face Act

All articles tagged with #face act

politics1 month ago•6 min saved

Biden DOJ Accused of Bias in FACE Act Prosecutions and Heavier Sentences

An internal, nearly 900-page DOJ review alleges biased enforcement of the FACE Act under the Biden administration, including withholding evidence, aggressive arrest tactics, and longer sentences for pro-life defendants than for pro-abortion cases. It describes a national task force led by Sanjay Patel that coordinated with Planned Parenthood and other groups to pursue prosecutions, highlighting cases like Mark Houck. Houck was acquitted in 2023 and Patel was later fired; the report says misconduct referrals and accountability measures may follow to restore integrity in prosecutions.

via New York Post|

#bias-enforcement #doj #face-act

politics1 month ago•4 min saved

Trump-Backed Weaponization Report Alleges Biden DOJ Misused FACE Act Against Protesters

A Trump-commissioned Weaponization Working Group report accuses the Biden DOJ of biased enforcement of the FACE Act against anti-abortion protesters, alleging harsher sentences, alleged withholding of evidence, and improper juror screening, while noting the document has no legal weight; it follows firings linked to FACE Act prosecutions and comes as the administration says it is reversing prior enforcement, with supporters citing public safety and equal application of the law.

via CNN|

#anti-abortion-protests #biden-administration #face-act

politics1 month ago•3 min saved

DOJ Fires Four FACE Act Prosecutors Tied to Biden-Era Cases

The Justice Department fired at least four prosecutors who handled FACE Act prosecutions during the Biden administration, including Sanjay Patel; the terminations occurred as the department prepared a report on weaponizing the FACE Act.

via CBS News|

#biden-administration #civil-rights-division #face-act

politics2 months ago•3 min saved

DOJ widens civil-rights case over Minnesota anti-ICE church protest

The Justice Department added 30 more defendants to the civil-rights case stemming from a January anti-ICE protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, bringing the total charged to 39 with violations of two FACE Act provisions (a misdemeanor) and conspiracy to interfere with religious rights. No new charges were added beyond those two civil-rights provisions. Don Lemon and another journalist are among those charged, and all original defendants have pleaded not guilty. The case raises questions about applying the FACE Act to houses of worship and involves grand-jury secrecy and transcript-disclosure disputes.

via CBS News|

#anti-ice-protest #civil-rights #doj

politics3 months ago•6 min saved

Religious Rights vs. Press Freedoms: DOJ Defends Don Lemon Arrest

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the DOJ’s arrest of journalist Don Lemon over an immigration protest inside a Minneapolis church, arguing the case requires weighing freedom of religion against freedom of the press; Lemon is charged with conspiring to deprive congregants of civil rights and violating the FACE Act and has pleaded not guilty, with Blanche stressing the arrests address alleged crimes, not punishing journalists.

via Politico|

#arrest #don-lemon #face-act

politics3 months ago•6 min saved

Greene Defends Lemon Arrest in FACE Act Case

Former CNN host Don Lemon was arrested in Minnesota on civil rights charges after livestreaming anti-ICE protesters who disrupted a Cities Church service; Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene defended the arrest, saying Lemon violated the FACE Act by entering a church during worship. The charges include conspiracy to deprive civil rights and interfering with religious freedom; Lemon was released without bond and faces a Feb. 9 court date.

via Fox News|

#cities-church #don-lemon #face-act

politics3 months ago•17 min saved

Greene Endorses Don Lemon Arrest, Framing It as Activism

On Real Time with Bill Maher, Marjorie Taylor Greene said she completely supports Don Lemon’s arrest, arguing he violated the FACE Act by entering a church and disrupting worship, and that his remarks comparing protesters to white supremacists amounted to activism rather than journalism. Lemon had been indicted for covering an anti-ICE protest at a Minneapolis church and was later released on bond.

via Deadline|

#arrest #don-lemon #face-act

politics3 months ago•9 min saved

Don Lemon faces federal charges in high-stakes First Amendment clash with Trump administration

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles and charged in a Minnesota case stemming from a church protest, accused of conspiring to deprive congregants of civil rights and violating the FACE Act; Lemon vows to fight the charges, portraying the case as a major First Amendment showdown that tests press freedom amid the Trump administration.

via Politico|

#don-lemon #face-act #first-amendment

politics3 months ago•3 min saved

Don Lemon Arrest Sparks Free-Press Debate Over FACE Act Case

Independent journalist Don Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles on federal FACE Act charges tied to his coverage of a Minnesota church anti-ICE protest; the arrest followed conservative backlash to his reporting, despite a magistrate previously rejecting DOJ's bid to charge him. Lemon's camp and press groups warn the move threatens First Amendment rights and press freedom, with other journalists also arrested during the protest.

via Axios|

#arrest #don-lemon #face-act

us-news3 months ago•7 min saved

Don Lemon Arrested by Federal Agents Over Minnesota Church Protest

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles during Grammy weekend, tied to a Jan. 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minn., where Lemon and three others were charged with conspiracy to deprive rights and violating the FACE Act for allegedly disrupting a church service. Lemon’s team says he acted as a journalist; prosecutors say a grand jury indicted him. The case has sparked debate over press protections during protests.

via Los Angeles Times|

#cities-church-protest #don-lemon #face-act

politics4 months ago•8 min saved

Federal charges filed after St. Paul church protest against ICE

Three protesters were arrested on federal charges (conspiracy to deprive rights, with possible FACE Act implications) after disrupting a Sunday service at Cities Church in St. Paul to condemn ICE. Prosecutors say more charges could come as the case unfolds; the arrested individuals include Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly. The incident sparked political backlash and ongoing DOJ scrutiny of protests targeting immigration enforcement.

via CNN|

#civil-rights #face-act #immigration

politics4 months ago•5 min saved

Protesters Arrested Over Church Disruption Tied to ICE Controversy

U.S. Homeland Security and FBI agents arrested three protesters in connection with a demonstration that interrupted a Cities Church service in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area; Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly face FACE Act charges, with Armstrong accused of conspiracy to deprive rights and Allen charged for her role. Protesters had urged the resignation of Pastor David Easterwood, whom they say works for ICE. In a separate matter, a federal judge rejected a criminal complaint against journalist Don Lemon. The arrests come as Minnesota protests intensify after a fatal ICE officer shooting on Jan. 7.

via NBC News|

#allen #armstrong #cities-church

us-news4 months ago•5 min saved

Federal arrests tied to anti-ICE protest at St. Paul church

Federal authorities arrested Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen, along with William Kelly, in connection with a Sunday anti-ICE protest that disrupted a St. Paul church service. Armstrong and Allen were released after magistrate hearings; Kelly is charged with conspiracy to deprive rights and violations of the FACE Act as part of a DOJ investigation. The case has sparked debate over free speech versus harassment in a sensitive religious setting.

via kstp.com|

#arrests #doj #face-act

politics4 months ago•9 min saved

Pastor-ICE clash at Minnesota church tests sanctuary policy

Protesters interrupted a Sunday service at Cities Church in St. Paul to question pastor David Easterwood’s ICE ties, led by Nekima Levy Armstrong. The roughly 25-minute demonstration highlights the national sanctuary debate amid a broader crackdown on immigration, drawing a Justice Department probe and mixed reactions from religious groups as federal agents’ actions in the Twin Cities continue to inflame tensions.

via The Washington Post|

#anti-ice #church-protest #face-act

law4 months ago•4 min saved

DOJ vows federal charges over church protest, challenges Don Lemon's coverage

The Justice Department’s civil rights chief Harmeet Dhillon said federal charges will be pursued for the anti-ICE protest inside a St. Paul church and criticized Don Lemon’s reporting as potentially connected to a criminal conspiracy, though she did not confirm charges against him. Dhillon noted possible use of the FACE Act and, if appropriate, the Ku Klux Klan Act to address violations of civil rights, while Lemon defended his coverage and highlighted threats he faced online. The case ties to broader anti-ICE demonstrations and the death of Renee Good, with the administration and protesters signaling ongoing tensions over ICE and religious freedom.

via NBC News|

#church-protest #civil-rights #doj