St. Paul police arrested Emily Heather Phillips on Monday morning following a reported disruption at Cities Church. The suspect was taken into custody after allegedly interfering with a religious service and ignoring orders from law enforcement officers stationed at the venue during the holiday weekend.
Phillips, observed wearing a red beanie, was filmed shouting at police and churchgoers during the gathering. This incident follows a series of public confrontations involving Phillips, who recently gained notoriety through a viral video showing her harassing federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at a regional airport.
Cities Church has been the site of repeated political protests earlier this year. In January, journalist Don Lemon and a group of demonstrators entered the building to protest a pastor who also serves as a field director for the ICE field office in St. Paul, drawing national attention to the congregation.
Those previous events led to federal charges against Lemon and several other activists under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The Department of Justice, under President Donald Trump, has utilized the act to prosecute individuals who interfere with the constitutional exercise of religious freedom.
Witnesses reported that the disruption on Monday involved the use of a blow-horn and aggressive language directed at worshippers. Officers working contracted security at the church arrested Phillips on the spot after she reportedly refused to comply with repeated warnings to cease the disturbance and leave the premises.
Public reaction to the arrest has been significant, with footage of the confrontation spreading rapidly across social media platforms. Many observers expressed support for the police response, citing the necessity of protecting houses of worship from political targeting during major religious holidays.
Following her booking on Monday morning, Phillips appeared before a Ramsey County judge for an initial hearing. Despite the charges of disorderly conduct and interfering with religious observance, the court dismissed the case later that day, citing a lack of probable cause for the specific arrest charges.
The judicial decision has reignited discussions regarding the boundaries of public protest and the security of religious institutions. St. Paul police officials stated they will continue to maintain a visible presence at the church to ensure the safety of the community throughout the remainder of the week.