Upon discovering an altered photo of herself supposedly crying during her arrest posted by the White House, Minnesota civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong was shocked.
Contrary to the manipulated image showing her in distress with tears, Levy Armstrong maintained composure during her arrest at a Minnesota church protest, refusing to show any signs of distress to her adversaries.
Following her arrest announcement by the White House, which featured a photo digitally modified using AI technology, Levy Armstrong questioned her impact on the most powerful nation on earth.
Reflecting on the incident, Levy Armstrong expressed resilience, stating, “They couldn’t break me. And so they altered an image showing me broken.”
Despite requests for comment, neither the White House nor the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responded to inquiries from CBC. White House deputy communications director Kaelan Dorr defended the image, emphasizing the continuity of law enforcement actions despite public reaction.
‘A Moment of Injustice’
Levy Armstrong was apprehended on Jan. 22 in connection with a protest at the Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, involving a pastor who also serves as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official.
She is part of a group of nine individuals, including two journalists, indicted for conspiracy and impeding the First Amendment rights of worshippers during the protest.
Although composed during her custody, Levy Armstrong described the experience as degrading and dehumanizing, recalling the use of multiple restraints during transportation to the county jail.
Addressing the incident, she remarked, “This was the closest I’ve ever felt to slavery.” Despite the circumstances, Levy Armstrong maintained her dignity and composure, emphasizing the importance of preserving her humanity.
ICE Official and Pastor
ICE’s significant presence in Minnesota has faced resistance from organized protesters and residents striving to shield their community from immigration raids.
Following ICE’s deployment to Minneapolis, which led to fatal incidents involving residents, Levy Armstrong and others protested at the church where David Easterwood, the head of ICE’s St. Paul office and a pastor, works.
Levy Armstrong criticized the dual role of Easterwood, highlighting ICE’s actions such as physical assaults, unjust arrests, and intrusion into homes,
