Interfaith Alliance Condemns New Brutal ICE Killing In Minnesota, Urges All Faith Communities to Mobilize Against ICE

On Saturday in Minneapolis, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents brutally attacked and then shot to death Alex Pretti, a registered nurse who appeared to be filming the agents and coming to the aid of a legal observer. This latest horrific murder of a civilian bystander by armed federal agents comes just over two weeks after the murder of Renee Good during an otherwise nonviolent encounter.

Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, just returned Friday evening from several days spent in Minneapolis marching, protesting and rallying together with national and local faith leaders – who answered the call to do everything in their power to challenge ICE and call for them to leave Minnesota and cease terrorizing immigrant and their communities. Rev. Raushenbush shared the following statement:

“We are outraged and heartbroken that another innocent person has been brutally gunned down by ICE in the streets of Minneapolis, simply because he tried to help his neighbors and to bravely stand against oppression perpetrated by ICE in the community. Our hearts are with the victim’s loved ones and the Minneapolis community, as they grieve and respond to this horrific tragedy. Having just spent a few days in Minneapolis, I know how much pain that community has been facing even prior to this latest killing, due to the actions of ICE in their city and state. I saw how much tremendous moral courage and perseverance they have shown to resist and reject ICE. 

We echo the urgent demands of activists in Minnesota, including local faith leaders. ICE must leave Minnesota. The officers behind these killings must be held legally accountable, as must any officers who kill civilians. ICE should be shut down, denied additional federal funding in the upcoming budget, and investigated for their violations of Americans’ constitutional rights. All corporations and businesses should exercise their 4th amendment rights to end all economic relations with ICE and deny ICE access to their property. 

Across faith traditions, we are called to protect human dignity, care for the vulnerable, and resist systems that thrive on fear. That is why so many faith leaders and communities, in Minnesota and across the country, are showing moral leadership and courage to reject ICE. We at Interfaith Alliance are supporting this critical organizing in communities nationwide by urgently distributing funds and resources to those putting them to immediate use to respond to this moment.

‍We honor the memory of Alex Pretti, Renee Good and all the victims of ICE, including those who have died in detention. As people of faith, we will continue to do everything possible to support communities mobilizing to reject hate, fear, discrimination and oppression, and show up in solidarity with our neighbors.”

CONTACT: Ben DePasquale, West End Strategy Team, 717-779-4660