Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have called attention to the escalating violence surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old ICU nurse in Minneapolis.
Alex Pretti Shooting Sparks Protests
The Obamas described the killing of Alex Pretti as a “heartbreaking tragedy” and a “wake up call” regarding the erosion of core American values, in a statement posted on social media. Pretti, a Department of Veterans Affairs nurse, was recording ICE agents in Minneapolis on Saturday when he intervened after witnessing agents shove a woman.
Witness videos show Pretti being pushed, sprayed with a chemical irritant, and then tackled to the ground before being shot ten times. Minneapolis police confirmed Pretti had a license to carry a concealed weapon. Gun rights groups have called for a full investigation into the circumstances of his death.
Demonstrations took place across the country Sunday protesting the tactics of federal immigration agents and comments made by President Trump and his administration, some of whom appeared to blame Pretti for his own death due to carrying a weapon during the protest.
Concerns Over ICE Tactics and Escalation
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara expressed concern over the influx of hundreds of ICE agents into the city, stating that the situation was “not sustainable” and straining police resources. He urged for calm as his officers attempt to manage the “chaos.”
The Obamas criticized the actions of ICE, stating that federal law enforcement should operate lawfully and accountably, and in collaboration with state and local officials. They asserted that the current situation in Minnesota represents the opposite of these principles.
The shooting occurred less than three weeks after an ICE agent shot Renee Nicole Good, an unarmed mother, in Minneapolis. The agency claimed she attempted to harm an agent, but video footage suggests she was turning the wheel of her SUV away from the agent when she was shot in the face.
The Obamas accused the Trump administration of escalating the situation and offering explanations for the shootings of Pretti and Good that are “not informed by any serious investigation” and “appear to be directly contradicted by video evidence.” They urged administration officials to “reconsider their approach” and work with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to de-escalate the situation.
Pretti’s parents, Susan and Michael Pretti, described their son as “a kindhearted soul” who was dedicated to his family, friends, and the veterans he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital.
The Obamas concluded by calling on all Americans to support peaceful protests and to hold the government accountable.
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