Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal Claims Nearly All Protesters Peaceful Despite Disruptions

Democrat Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal on Monday defended immigration protests after being pressed about demonstrators interrupting a church service.

Left-wing rioters interrupted an evangelical church service during a Sunday livestream after claiming a pastor had ties to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Asked whether crossing into a place of worship goes too far, Jayapal said on “The Arena with Kasie Hunt” that she had not reviewed the full video but maintained that nearly all demonstrators act peacefully.

“I haven‘t reviewed the entire video for that, but I will just say that the vast majority of protesters, like 99.9%, have been engaging in peaceful protest,” Jayapal said.

Jayapal said the court reaffirmed that people have a constitutional right to protest peacefully.

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“A court decision on Friday reaffirmed that. And actually said that it‘s the tactics of ICE agents and CBP [Customs and Border Protection] agents that are the problem here that are violating constitutional protections,” Jayapal said. “You do have the right to peacefully say that you disagree, to follow ICE agents and record what they are doing at a safe distance. And the reality is, it‘s been ICE and CBP that‘s been really inflaming tensions.”

U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez issued a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit brought by local activists alleging First Amendment violations, claiming federal immigration agents violated constitutional rights during enforcement operations in the Minneapolis area. The judge’s order bars federal officers, including ICE and Border Patrol, from arresting, detaining, or using force such as tear gas or pepper spray against peaceful protesters and observers unless there is reasonable suspicion of criminal activity or interference. (RELATED: Don Lemon Defends Protesters Who Stormed Minneapolis Church Service Believing Pastor Was ‘ICE-Affiliated’)

The First Amendment complaints came before an ICE agent in Minneapolis fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good as she drove her vehicle toward him, an incident that drew national attention, with DHS saying her car struck the agent and injured his torso. President Donald Trump warned Thursday that he would invoke the Insurrection Act as part of a military response in Minneapolis if local officials fail to stop rioters from putting law enforcement at risk.

Left-wing rioters also confronted attendees at a Saturday rally in Minneapolis backing ICE enforcement efforts organized by online personality Jake Lang. Lang and at least one other attendee observed the rioters before Lang was reportedly attacked and stabbed, though his body armor prevented serious injury. Lang later said he was treated at a hospital for a head injury.

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