Army veteran who protested church service in St. Paul arrested
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
Ian Austin is the latest person to be arrested in connection to a protest during a church service in St. Paul, where an ICE official serves as a pastor.
In a YouTube video posted by MotherJones on Friday, Austin is seen seated in a black SUV after being detained by federal agents. He says, “My name is Ian Austin. They’re targeting me because I had 2.5 million streams yesterday.”
Austin is one of nine people charged with federal civil rights violations and is now being held in Sherburne County Jail. He and the others face one count of conspiracy against right of religious freedom at a place of worship and one count of injure, intimidate and interfere with exercise of right of religious freedom at a place of worship.
According to fellow protester Jesse Amo, Austin was arrested on Jan. 30 outside of the Whipple Federal Building. Amo says he was getting out of his vehicle when FBI agents apprehended him.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
The pair had met recently while participating in protests outside of the federal building.
“He's a Army Ranger, six-time deployed to Afghanistan, combat vet and, really — this is a duty and oath for him to follow through and stand up and peacefully protest,” Amo said of Austin.
Austin is currently being held at Sherburne County Jail. According to Amo, Austin had been detained by law enforcement a few days prior but had been released with no charges.
Austin had also criticized ICE action outside the Whipple Federal Building in a viral social media video.
“We're turning into something that I can't even begin to respect, and something that I literally went to war — or they told me I went to war — to fight against,” said Austin in the video.
Four others, including journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon, were also arrested on Friday but were released later that day. Amo, a member of Veterans for Peace, says a protest is scheduled to demand Austin’s release outside of Sherburne County Jail on Sunday.
“I'm feeling heavy, angry, fear — just appalled that this is what's being allowed to happen,” said Amo.
— Nicole Ki, MPR News
This story is part of our live coverage. Go to live updates.
