A vocal anti-ICE activist has stirred controversy by storming a church service in Minnesota while also being accused of harassing worshipers at a prominent Washington, D.C. congregation.

On Sunday, a group of anti-ICE protesters, including a man identified as William Kelly, disrupted a service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, shouting slogans like "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good" in front of stunned attendees. They claimed a pastor at the church, David Easterwood, serves as the acting director of ICE’s St. Paul field office. The Justice Department has confirmed it is investigating the incident, while Kelly, known online as "DaWokeFarmer," has a history of similar actions at Christ Church in D.C., attended by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

The issue has sparked heated debate over the boundaries of protest and the right to worship in peace. While activists argue they are fighting against perceived injustices, churchgoers and officials contend that such disruptions cross a line into harassment.

Timeline of Kelly’s Disruptive Actions

Reports of Kelly’s behavior at Christ Church in D.C. date back to around September or October, according to an anonymous congregant. Members there describe repeated disturbances, with Kelly allegedly shouting vulgarities at families and even children outside services. After an arrest by the Secret Service in December for an unrelated incident, he appears to have taken his activism on the road.

Christ Church associate pastor Joe Rigney told Fox News Digital about the ongoing protests at their services. "Kelly stood out because he was one of the more aggressive, angry, vile, profane protesters who would follow people to their car, yell at them, yell at children… profanity-laden attacks on normal church members," Rigney said.

That same aggression seems to have followed Kelly to Minnesota, where video from the Cities Church incident led Christ Church’s security team to identify him as the same individual. It’s a troubling pattern for those who simply want to attend services without fear of confrontation.

Context of Anti-ICE Protests in Minnesota

The backdrop to the Minnesota disruption ties into broader tensions over ICE policies, particularly after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent. The Trump administration has stated Good was attempting to ram an agent with her vehicle at the time of the incident. Protesters, however, allege ICE employs violent tactics and illegal arrests, with some pointing fingers at Easterwood as a local ICE leader.

On Monday, Kelly took to TikTok to defend his actions at Cities Church, showing no remorse for the disruption. "Yesterday, I went into a church with [activist] Nekima Armstrong, and I protested these White supremacists," he declared. "The pastor of the church is a f---ing ICE leader in the city."

While Kelly’s passion on the issue is evident, his methods raise serious questions about respect for sacred spaces. Disrupting a church service, especially with such inflammatory language, alienates more people than it persuades.

Impact on Church Communities

In D.C., Christ Church members have expressed frustration over their inability to worship without interference. Despite security from Metro PD, some, like deputy under secretary Justin Overbaugh, argue law enforcement has failed to address disruptions involving bullhorns and shouting. The sense of being under siege at a place of faith is palpable.

Rigney noted that Kelly has not directly confronted Hegseth, but the constant presence of agitators weighs heavily on the congregation. Families should not have to brace for verbal assaults on their way to pray.

Kelly, with over 66,000 followers on TikTok as "DaWokeFarmer," uses his platform to rail against ICE and the Trump administration, often with profanity-laced tirades. He’s also raised over $40,000 on a linked GoFundMe page to fund what he calls a nationwide effort to "scold the gestapo." Such rhetoric may energize his base, but it risks drowning out any legitimate critique of immigration enforcement.

Balancing Protest and Respect

The core of this story isn’t just about Kelly or his stunts—it’s about where the line should be drawn between activism and intrusion. Churches, as sanctuaries for many, deserve protection from being turned into political battlegrounds. While concerns about ICE policies warrant discussion, storming a service isn’t the way to foster dialogue.

Ultimately, the Justice Department’s investigation into the Minnesota incident may set a precedent for handling such disruptions. For now, congregants in both St. Paul and D.C. are left hoping for a return to peaceful worship. The right to protest must be weighed against the right to practice faith without fear.