WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 26, 2026 ) – In response to the killing of Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis today, Folabi Olagbaju, Democracy Campaign Director, Greenpeace USA, said:
“For the second time this month, DHS agents killed a U.S. citizen engaged in and observing a peaceful protest – yet, federal overreach means another innocent life is gone. While the Department of Homeland Security claims Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse with the VA hospital, was wielding a gun, local police have called him a ‘lawful gun owner with a permit to carry,’ and video analysis shows that any gun was removed before he was executed by federal agents. DHS cannot continue to tout lies about its victims in order to justify murder, while failing to uphold its duties to protect and defend the rights of U.S. citizens.
“We support Minneapolis, a city renowned for welcoming migrants with love and compassion. We support Minnesotans who have been bravely demonstrating peacefully in the face of state-sanctioned violence against their civil and human rights. We demand that ICE yield to Governor Tim Walz’s mandate to leave Minneapolis now. We demand DHS cooperates with local and state law enforcement to ensure a full, thorough, and transparent investigation.
“Free speech and assembly are foundational rights in this country and so is the right to legally bear arms. Democracy dies when dissent is silenced by force. We refuse to be silenced. We support all those demanding accountability and an end to federal occupation in Minnesota and beyond. This must end.”
Gov. Walz, Attorney General Ellison, and Mayor Frey are working with local law enforcement to make sure that Minnesotans can continue to peacefully exercise their rights. Greenpeace USA remains committed to ensuring you know yours as well.
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