A 21-year-old activist and student at Temple University has been arrested and charged in connection with a protest held at a Minnesota church last month. Jerome Richardson was one of several to be arrested and charged. Others include journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, as well as activists Nekima Levy-Armstrong and Chauntyll Allen.
Jerome Richardson faces federal charges over his participation in a protest at a Minneapolis church
On Monday, Richardson reportedly turned himself in to authorities in Philadelphia. He was taken in federal custody that same day and then released, according to CBS News and a fundraiser that was started to support him. He’s one of nine people indicted in connection to a protest at Cities Church in St. Paul.
The protest was organized by activists who say one of the church’s pastors, David Easterwoo,d heads the ICE field office in St. Paul. Richardson said he was helping connect Lemon with local activists prior to him live streaming the event.
“Don was reporting on the situation on the ground during the occupation by DHS and ICE and Border Patrol agents. At that time, I was proud to support his work in exposing the everyday injustices that resulted from the agenda,” Richardson said in a video posted on his fundraiser page, per CBS News. “As a consequence of this support, I’m now being targeted by Trump and the federal administration.”
Richardson also called out “the hypocrisy of how Pastor David Easterwood could simultaneously be a pastor at the church and the local leader of ICE operations.”
“What people are experiencing goes against human and civil rights as well as the teachings of Jesus, who indeed flipped over tables,” he added.
On Jan. 29, Lemon was arrested after a dozen federal agents came to his hotel in Los Angeles; he has since been released.
The indictment lists one count of conspiracy against the right of religious freedom at a place of worship, as well as one count of injuring, intimidating or interfering with exercising the right of religious freedom, CBS News reported.
Jerome Richardson has received widespread support following his arrest and indictment
Since Monday, Richardson has received over $41,000 in donations on his fundraiser page. The St. Paul native is currently a senior at Temple University, where he plans to graduate in May.
The university issued a statement regarding the charges against him: “We understand that the circumstances surrounding this matter are developing. Out of respect for the privacy of the student and the ongoing legal process, the University will not comment on the specifics,” the institution wrote, per CBS News.
“As we’ve shared previously, we deeply value the First Amendment, including the rights of free speech, a free press and the freedom to exercise religion,” it added. “We encourage and educate our students to engage thoughtfully and lawfully to advocate for their beliefs and values, raise awareness and contribute to constructive dialogue.”