In Minneapolis on Sunday, thousands of people took to the streets demanding justice for two more victims killed by immigration agents in a span of just one week. The city's Congress Plaza was packed as protesters chanted slogans against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, calling for its abolition.
Lawrence Benito, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, echoed sentiments expressed earlier this week when he asked "when will enough be enough?" He cited numerous instances where people have said they've had enough, referencing Renee Macklin Good's death in Minnesota last month. Her death was followed by Alex Pretti's fatal shooting a mile away the next day.
According to federal records, nearly 3,000 immigration agents and officers are currently deployed in Minnesota as part of an ICE operation that has seen several clashes with local residents who oppose their actions. Local leaders, including Mayor Brandon Johnson, Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, and state Senator Karina Villa, also joined the rally.
The killings have sparked widespread outrage across the nation, prompting calls for accountability from politicians on all sides of the aisle. Illinois's Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton stated that if the senators facing a vote on DHS funding this week do not act to address ICE's actions, "we are watching you."
Protesters held signs and banners reading 'ICE executed Alex Pretti' and chanted slogans demanding an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Their message is clear: enough is indeed enough.
Chicago contractor Mike Gillian stated that he had been moved by the two recent deaths in Minneapolis, prompting him to join the protest. When asked how he felt after witnessing such violence firsthand, Gillian said, "It was terrifying." Despite this, he chose to stand with protesters and express his concern for safety.
Lawrence Benito, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, echoed sentiments expressed earlier this week when he asked "when will enough be enough?" He cited numerous instances where people have said they've had enough, referencing Renee Macklin Good's death in Minnesota last month. Her death was followed by Alex Pretti's fatal shooting a mile away the next day.
According to federal records, nearly 3,000 immigration agents and officers are currently deployed in Minnesota as part of an ICE operation that has seen several clashes with local residents who oppose their actions. Local leaders, including Mayor Brandon Johnson, Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, and state Senator Karina Villa, also joined the rally.
The killings have sparked widespread outrage across the nation, prompting calls for accountability from politicians on all sides of the aisle. Illinois's Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton stated that if the senators facing a vote on DHS funding this week do not act to address ICE's actions, "we are watching you."
Protesters held signs and banners reading 'ICE executed Alex Pretti' and chanted slogans demanding an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Their message is clear: enough is indeed enough.
Chicago contractor Mike Gillian stated that he had been moved by the two recent deaths in Minneapolis, prompting him to join the protest. When asked how he felt after witnessing such violence firsthand, Gillian said, "It was terrifying." Despite this, he chose to stand with protesters and express his concern for safety.