Could parishioners in Minnesota sue Lemon?

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Based on the details of the January 18, 2026, incident at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota—where Don Lemon (likely the intended reference, as "Lemmon" appears to be a common misspelling) was involved in covering or participating in an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a worship service—church members could potentially pursue a civil lawsuit against him.

bbc.com +2

The federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, codified at 18 U.S.C. § 248, prohibits interference with the exercise of religious freedom at a place of worship through force, threats of force, or physical obstruction, including attempts to do so.

law.cornell.edu

This law explicitly allows "any person aggrieved" (such as worshippers whose service was disrupted) to file a civil action seeking remedies like injunctions, compensatory damages, punitive damages, statutory damages of $5,000 per violation, and attorney fees.

law.cornell.edu

The Act's civil provisions are designed to protect First Amendment rights in such scenarios, and similar disruptions have led to both criminal charges (as seen in Lemon's case) and civil claims in the past.Whether such a lawsuit would succeed depends on factors like evidence of Lemon's specific role in the interference (e.g., beyond mere journalism into active disruption), the extent of any harm or obstruction, and defenses like First Amendment protections for reporting or protest. However, the threshold to file a suit is low—anyone can initiate one if they believe they have a claim—and the FACE Act provides a clear legal pathway for aggrieved church members to do so without needing to prove state action, unlike some other civil rights claims. Consulting a lawyer familiar with federal civil rights law would be the next step for anyone considering this

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I've been expecting the ACLU to jump in any minute now.

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