Clergy arrested protesting ICE at MSP Airport share story: "It was holy."

Nearly two weeks after 99 clergy members were arrested and charged during a protest at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, three are sitting down to share their story.

Rev. Katherine Lewis of St. David's Episcopal Church in Minnetonka, Rev. Daniel Ruth, executive director of Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry, and Rev. Amanda Lunemann of Grace United Methodist Church in Burnsville each say they felt a calling to be at the airport protest, despite the risk of arrest and the reality of the bone-chilling cold.

They didn't know each other before the event on Jan. 23, but found themselves shoulder to shoulder in temperatures that hit minus 21 degrees while kneeling outside the airport.

Lewis said she felt certain about participating. 

"I had no hesitation that this was the right thing I was supposed to be doing," Lewis said.

Ruth said his motivation was personal and rooted in community. 

"They are very much my neighbor, and I feel that at a really deep faith level," Ruth said.

For many involved, it was their first arrest. Lunemann said she approached it as a step-by-step decision. 

"It was just an act of like one foot in front of the other, because putting that foot in front was the right move," Lunemann said.

Lewis said the mood shifted quickly when police arrived. 

"It got real real fast," Lewis said.

The clergy members said they were loaded onto warm buses and treated with respect. Lewis described the contrast she felt during the arrest process. 

"The police officer who arrested me was so gentle and kind, told me his name and I was so struck by how it was so different than what we've been seeing with the ICE agents," she said.

The group said their message is rooted in faith and truth rather than partisanship. 

"I think part of being a faith leader is trying to get at what is true, right?" Ruth said.

Lewis said the experience also made her think about what others face when detained and deported. 

"I cannot even imagine having my ankles shackled and my wrists and being on a plane and being deported. So I just kind of like, 'get a grip, Lewis, this is nothing,'" she said.

They said the kind of public witness they chose is not for everyone, but they believe everyone can be called to act in some way. Lewis posed the question directly.

"What are you called to do?" she said.

Bigger Than Belief

You can listen to the full conversation with Lewis, Lunemann and Ruth on this week's episode of "Bigger Than Belief," a weekly podcast exploring faith, belief, and religion – all through the stories of believers. 

With an emphasis on understanding belief through personal experience, we aim to create a conversation about faith that is fair, honest, and easy to understand — regardless of what you do (or don't) believe. 

We'll also take a journalistic approach to concepts and questions that are difficult to understand, while helping to make sense of current events impacting believers in our communities. You can find part one of this week's episode wherever you get your podcasts.