Why This Pastor Was Arrested Protesting ICE in Minneapolis

Quick Overview

Pastor Quinlan Koch was arrested on January 23, 2026, while protesting the deportation of undocumented immigrants at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport Terminal 1, an action he describes as being motivated by his faith which calls him to advocate for dignity and hope, especially for those facing harsh treatment by ICE.

Key Points: Pastor Quinlan Koch was arrested on January 23, 2026, during a protest against ICE deportation flights at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport Terminal 1. The protest, which involved clergy members, pastors, imams, and rabbis, demanded an end to deportation flights and accountability for ICE's actions. Koch stated that 2,000 people have been deported from Minnesota since January 1st, and airlines like Delta and charter companies are profiting from this. The local police claimed the arrests were for permit violations and airport disruptions, though protesters maintained their actions (singing hymns, praying) were peaceful. Koch's faith dictates that he must speak truth to power and advocate for the vulnerable, as Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save it. He emphasized that the deportation process is causing real harm and trauma in communities across Minnesota, including the Twin Cities.

Context: The video features an interview on "Mehdi Unfiltered" between host Mehdi Hasan and Pastor Quinlan Koch of the First Lutheran Church of Red Wing, Minnesota. The discussion centers on Pastor Koch's recent arrest while participating in a protest at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport against ICE deportation flights. The interview explores the motivations behind the protest, the nature of the confrontation with police, and the pastor's theological justification for civil disobedience against what he perceives as inhumane government policies.

Detailed Analysis

The video documents the arrest of Pastor Quinlan Koch on January 23, 2026, during a protest at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport Terminal 1 against ICE deportation flights. Koch, interviewed by Mehdi Hasan, explained that approximately 100 religious leaders, including clergy and rabbis, were protesting, demanding an end to deportations and accountability for ICE's actions, specifically mentioning the deportation of 2,000 immigrants from Minnesota since January 1st. Koch cited airline complicity, noting that companies like Delta and charter airlines are profiting from these flights. He detailed that the protest involved peacefully singing hymns and praying while police, dressed in riot gear, arrested about 70 people, including himself, for alleged permit violations and airport disruption. Koch stressed that his actions are rooted in his Christian faith, which calls him to speak truth to power, seek justice, and love his neighbor, noting that Jesus came to save, not condemn. He stated that the harm and trauma caused by these deportations are deeply felt in communities across Minnesota. When asked by Hasan if he would support political officials who refuse to defund or abolish ICE, Koch responded negatively, asserting that such a stance is misaligned with the core tenets of his faith, which demand mercy and compassion for the marginalized.