In a notable incident that has stirred controversy, Minnesota activist and civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong released a video of her arrest following a protest against immigration enforcement. This release comes after the White House posted a manipulated image of her arrest on social media, prompting questions about the portrayal of the event.
The White House shared the altered image on its X account, depicting Levy Armstrong in a distressed state while being escorted by a blurred federal agent. The accompanying caption labeled her as a “far-left agitator” responsible for orchestrating riots at a church in Minnesota. A separate post from Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, included the same image, but showed Levy Armstrong with a neutral expression.
The Arrest and Video Release
Levy Armstrong, who was taken into custody along with at least two others during the protest at a church where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official serves as a pastor, released her video on March 7, 2024. The video, recorded by her husband, Marques Armstrong, captures the moments leading up to her arrest.
In the footage, Levy Armstrong can be heard requesting the agents to treat her with “dignity and respect.” One of the federal agents responds by stating, “We have to put you in handcuffs.” During the interaction, Levy Armstrong questions the agent recording the incident and expresses concern about the portrayal of her arrest. The agent assures her, “It’s not going to be on Twitter,” suggesting an awareness of the potential for misrepresentation.
Throughout the more than seven-minute video, Levy Armstrong remains composed and engages in conversation with the agents, stating, “You know that this is a significant abuse of power,” in reference to the actions of ICE. At no point does she exhibit visible distress, countering the White House’s portrayal.
Political Context and Reactions
Following her release on March 8, 2024, along with Chauntyll Allen, a St. Paul school board member also arrested during the protest, Levy Armstrong made a statement highlighting the political implications of her arrest. In an audio message shared with the Associated Press, she accused the Trump administration of manipulating images to create a false narrative regarding her actions.
“We are being politically persecuted for speaking out against authoritarianism, fascism, and the tyranny of the Trump administration,” said Levy Armstrong.
The Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond to inquiries about the incident and the posted images. Levy Armstrong’s organization, the Racial Justice Network, has been vocal in its support, emphasizing the importance of truthful representation in political discourse.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States and raises significant questions about the use of media by government officials in shaping public perception. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this will impact the ongoing dialogue about civil rights and immigration policy.
