MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nekima Levy Armstrong, a Minnesota activist, has released a video documenting her arrest during an anti-immigration enforcement protest. The protest disrupted a church service at a location where an ICE official serves as pastor. The release follows a contentious post by the White House that featured a manipulated image of her arrest, which has since sparked outrage.
On Thursday, the White House's X (formerly Twitter) account shared a photo of Levy Armstrong in tears as she was taken into custody by federal agents, captioned with an accusatory phrase labeling her as an agitator. A similar photo from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem featured Levy Armstrong without an emotional expression, further complicating the narrative surrounding the incident.
Armstrong was arrested alongside at least two others and was subsequently released. Her organization, the Racial Justice Network, confirmed their release and highlighted the protest's aim to challenge ICE practices that disproportionately affect immigrants.
In the video taken by Armstrong's husband, Marques, viewers can see federal agents approach her for arrest. Armstrong is heard requesting to be treated with dignity as she is handcuffed.
“I refuse to be silent in the face of brutality from ICE,” Armstrong declared during her interaction with agents.
The video allegedly contradicts the emotional portrayal suggested in the White House's edited image, as Armstrong maintained composure while questioning the agents about their actions.
Additionally, she claimed this incident highlighted a broader pattern of politicizing the narrative around protests against government actions, particularly those by the Trump administration.
The Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the incident and the representations made online.
