Black Church Leaders in Minneapolis Call for Laws to Limit ICE Agents Wearing Masks
Black church leaders in Minneapolis are calling for state and national laws to restrict federal agents from wearing masks during immigration enforcement operations. The push follows the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent. The Rev. Boise Kimber of the National Baptist Convention U.S.A. is among the leaders demanding accountability.
Black church leaders in Minneapolis are calling for state and national laws to limit the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, specifically targeting the practice of agents wearing masks during operations.
The Rev. Boise Kimber of the National Baptist Convention U.S.A. is among the leaders demanding change. The push follows the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent, an incident that has galvanized faith communities in the region.
AME church officials in Minneapolis have also supported immigrant-owned businesses harmed by ICE operations, emphasizing community solidarity across ethnic lines.
The Rev. Jerry McAfee, pastor of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, has been working to defuse tensions between federal agents, protesters, and residents. He has also engaged in conversations with the local Somali community about navigating immigration issues.
The Rev. David Black, a Presbyterian minister, has become a national figure in the movement opposing mass deportation campaigns. He filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security after being shot with pepper balls while praying outside an ICE facility.
Black faith leaders say their response is rooted in scripture and the tradition of the Civil Rights Movement. They argue that protecting the vulnerable, including immigrants, is a core expression of Christian faith.
The National Black Church Initiative has issued a "Color Threat System" for Black churches, indicating levels of threat and corresponding security measures as tensions around immigration enforcement have risen in communities across the country.
