ST. PAUL, Minnesota— A federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota has returned an indictment charging nine defendants in connection with an alleged coordinated disruption of a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul on January 18.
The indictment alleges the group entered the sanctuary during service and carried out a “takeover-style” disruption that forced the pastor and congregation to terminate worship early, with congregants fleeing the building out of fear for their safety.
The filing refers to the alleged action as “Operation Pullup,” alleging it was organized and promoted online and that defendants met for a pre-operation briefing where organizers allegedly identified the target and gave instructions on how the operation would be carried out once they arrived.
The Don Lemon storyline in this document is not framed as a journalist arriving to cover a news event. The indictment names him as a defendant and then describes livestreaming and conduct it characterizes as supporting the operation. It alleges that on the morning of January 18, Lemon began livestreaming on his internet-based show, told viewers he was in Minnesota with an organization preparing a “resistance” operation, and took steps aimed at maintaining operational secrecy by reminding certain co-conspirators not to disclose the target, including stepping away so his mic would not accidentally reveal portions of planning.
The indictment further alleges that during discussions he thanked another defendant, referenced not disclosing the target, and was told the operation was “clandestine,” described as showing up at a key location and disrupting “business as usual,” with Lemon indicating he would see them there.
As the group headed toward the church, the filing alleges Lemon told his livestream audience they were going to the operation and not to give away operational details that would disclose where they were heading.
It also alleges that while en route, when another defendant said they had to “catch up” to others, Lemon told them not to “give anything away” while still livestreaming and told his audience they couldn’t say too much because they didn’t want to “give it up.”
Inside the church, the indictment alleges Lemon and his codefendants intimidated and physically obstructed congregants and pastors by occupying aisles and rows of chairs.
It then attributes additional statements and conduct to Lemon: that he told his livestream audience about congregants leaving and a “young man” who he said could be frightened, scared, and crying, and that he described congregants’ reactions as understandable because the experience was “traumatic and uncomfortable,” which he said was the purpose.
The filing also alleges Lemon acknowledged the nature of the operation by expressing surprise the police had not yet arrived and by admitting he knew the “whole point” was to disrupt.
It further alleges he asked who they should speak with, referring to “a pastor or something” and was told the pastor might have run away.
Near the end of the alleged operation, the indictment alleges, and video supports that Lemon, along with other defendants, approached the pastor and largely surrounded him, physically obstructed his movement, and that Lemon “peppered” the pastor with questions “to promote the operation’s message.”
The filing also alleges Lemon stood close enough that the pastor’s hand grazed him and the pastor admonished, “Please don’t push me,” and that even after the pastor told Lemon and others to leave, they ignored the request and did not immediately leave.
Read the full filing information below.
Watch video of the incident on the NMI News Service Facebook page and YouTube channel.
