A Minnesota activist and civil rights attorney, Nekima Levy Armstrong, has released a video of her arrest following a protest against immigration enforcement. This comes after the White House published a manipulated image of her arrest that drew widespread attention.
On March 7, 2024, the White House shared a photo on its X account showing Levy Armstrong appearing to cry while being escorted by a law enforcement officer. The post was captioned in all caps: “Arrested far-left agitator Nekima Levy Armstrong for orchestrating church riots in Minnesota.” In a separate post, Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, shared the same image, but with Levy Armstrong displaying a neutral expression.
The protest occurred during a service at a church where an official from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) serves as a pastor. Alongside Levy Armstrong, at least two others were arrested during the demonstration, which aimed to draw attention to immigration policies. Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Allen, a member of the St. Paul school board who was also apprehended, were released the following day, according to a statement from the Racial Justice Network, which Levy Armstrong founded.
The video, recorded by Levy Armstrong’s husband, Marques Armstrong, captures the moments leading up to her arrest. In the footage, she can be heard asking the federal agents for dignity and respect as they approach her. One agent responded, “We have to put you in handcuffs,” while another appeared to record the interaction on a phone.
Levy Armstrong questioned the agent about the recording, stating, “I would ask that you not record.” The agent assured her that it would not be shared publicly, saying, “It’s not going to be on Twitter,” and added, “We don’t want to create a false narrative.” Throughout the more than seven-minute video, Levy Armstrong did not appear to be crying. Instead, she engaged in dialogue with the officers, stating, “You know that this is a significant abuse of power because I refuse to be silent in the face of brutality from ICE.”
In an audio message shared with the Associated Press, Levy Armstrong accused the Trump administration of using artificial intelligence to manipulate images of her arrest. She described the actions taken against her as politically motivated, saying, “We are being politically persecuted for speaking out against authoritarianism, fascism and the tyranny of the Trump administration.”
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the incident.
This event highlights ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy in the United States and raises questions about the portrayal of activists in the media. The contrasting images and narratives underscore the complexities of political discourse in the current climate. As this situation unfolds, it reflects broader issues of civil rights and government accountability.
