Upon discovering that the White House had shared an altered image depicting her in distress during her arrest, Minnesota civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong was taken aback.
Contrary to the manipulated photo showing her in anguish with tears, Levy Armstrong maintained her composure during her arrest at a Minnesota church protest, refusing to show any signs of distress.
The White House publicized her arrest, accompanied by an AI-altered image that distorted her expression, revealing a face of suffering and tears.
Reflecting on this incident, Levy Armstrong expressed disbelief, questioning her perceived threat to such a powerful entity that they resorted to altering the image to portray her as defeated.
Despite requests for comment, neither the White House nor the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responded to queries from CBC. White House deputy communications director Kaelan Dorr defended the image by emphasizing the enforcement of law and ongoing memes.
‘The closest to slavery I’ve ever felt’
Levy Armstrong’s arrest on Jan. 22 was linked to a protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, stemming from the employment of a pastor who also serves as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official.
Indicted alongside eight others, including two journalists, she described the experience as degrading and dehumanizing, despite maintaining a composed demeanor during her time in custody.
Transported from the federal courthouse to the county jail, Levy Armstrong recounted the use of three sets of shackles on her and fellow protesters, an act she likened to the closest feeling of slavery she had ever experienced.
Notwithstanding the circumstances, she remained composed and focused, emphasizing the importance of preserving her humanity in honor of her ancestors.
ICE official who doubles as a pastor
ICE’s significant presence in Minnesota has faced opposition from organized protesters and residents aiming to shield their community from immigration raids.
Following ICE’s deployment to Minneapolis in defiance of local elected officials, the fatal shooting of two residents, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, further fueled dissent.
Levy Armstrong and others protested at the church where David Easterwood, head of ICE’s St. Paul office and a pastor, presides, chanting in memory of Renee Good.
Citing physical brutality and unjust arrests by ICE agents, Levy Armstrong criticized the dual role of a pastor overseeing such actions as contradictory to Christian principles.
Arrests of former CNN anchor Don Lemon and journalist Georgia Fort during the protest garnered condemnation from press freedom advocates and media organizations.
Church, Trump administration stand by arrests
Characterizing the protest as peaceful, Levy Armstrong detailed how they respectfully voiced concerns about ICE following church services.
In contrast, the church denounced the demonstrators for allegedly intimidating and threatening the congregation, a portrayal echoed by church officials and members of the Trump administration.
Praising the arrests, the lead pastor expressed gratitude for swift Department of Justice action, emphasizing the preservation of the church’s mission and religious freedom.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem singled out Levy