Two prominent activists arrested for disrupting a church service in St Paul, Minnesota, walked free on Friday, hours after the White House was caught red-handed manipulating images of their arrest to fuel a propaganda campaign.

Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Allen emerged from federal detention with fists raised, greeted by cheering supporters. "Glory to God!" Armstrong declared, embracing her family. Their release was ordered by a federal judge who ruled the government had "failed to meet its burden" to justify their continued detention. A third activist, William Kelly, was also ordered released.

Propaganda and Prejudice

The case took a bizarre turn on Thursday when the White House social media accounts posted a photo of Armstrong’s arrest. Investigative analysis by The Guardian revealed the image had been digitally altered to darken Armstrong’s skin and make her appear to be crying.

• The Caption: The doctored image was labeled "ARRESTED FAR-LEFT AGITATOR," a clear attempt to vilify the peaceful protest.
• The Reality: Video footage released by Armstrong’s husband, Marques, showed her composed and calm, even questioning agents on why they were filming her.
• The Source: The deception unraveled because Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had earlier posted the original, unaltered photo.

Faith and Resistance

The women were targeted for leading a demonstration during Sunday service at a church attended by local ICE officials. The incident highlights the growing friction between religious institutions and state power in the US. For the activists, the government’s resort to digital manipulation is a sign of weakness—a desperate attempt to control a narrative that is slipping from their grasp.