Prosecutors said Wednesday that dozens of anti-immigration enforcement protesters who interrupted a Minnesota church service earlier this year will not face state criminal charges.
The decision, announced on June 3 by St. Paul City Attorney Irene Kao, comes as federal prosecutors continue pursuing criminal civil rights charges against 39 people, including former CNN anchor and independent journalist Don Lemon, over the Jan. 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul.
Kao said her office conducted a careful review of video footage and other available evidence before determining that criminal prosecution under Minnesota statutes was not warranted.
“Current evidence is insufficient to meet that standard for criminal charges under Minnesota state statutes,” Kao said, adding that the decision not to prosecute “should not be interpreted as an endorsement of unlawful behavior or public disorder.”…