Activist Releases Arrest Video After White House Altered Photo
Video shows Nekima Levy Armstrong composed during arrest after a White House-posted image was digitally altered, forensic analysts said.
Overview
Nekima Levy Armstrong released video of her arrest on Friday that shows her composed and speaking with federal agents, according to her organization, the Racial Justice Network.
A senior White House official confirmed the White House posted a digitally altered image of Armstrong that forensic analysts said darkened her skin and added tears, calling it a "meme."
Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, said the edit misrepresented Armstrong as "crying and scared," and Armstrong’s attorney Jordan Kushner called the post "outrageous defamation," according to their statements.
Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen and William Kelly were arrested in connection with a protest that disrupted services at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Armstrong faces charges under 18 U.S.C. 241, while court filings show the government moved to stay a release order.
Jordan Kushner said he will cite the newly released arrest video and the altered image in pretrial motions alleging prejudicial extrajudicial statements, according to his statement.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a case of government disinformation and political targeting by foregrounding the altered White House image, citing digital-forensics experts (Hany Farid) and protesters’ claims of political persecution, and highlighting administration patterns of posting AI “memes.” They prioritize evidence of manipulation while giving limited emphasis to official denials.
Sources (11)
FAQ
The White House posted a digitally altered photo of Nekima Levy Armstrong appearing to cry with darkened skin during her arrest, while the original photo shared by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem showed her stone-faced and composed.
The protest disrupted a church service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, targeting a pastor who led the local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office.
Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen (St. Paul school board member), and William Kelly were arrested for violating the FACE Act and charged under 18 U.S.C. 241 (1871 Ku Klux Klan Act) for disrupting the church service.
Nekima Levy Armstrong is a Minneapolis civil rights attorney and activist who has led racial justice groups, served as president of the local NAACP, advised Black Lives Matter, and was recognized by Oprah Winfrey after George Floyd's killing.
A White House spokesperson dismissed it as a 'meme' on social media, stating 'The memes will continue.'
History
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