MINNEAPOLIS — The calm of Saturday morning quickly transformed into chaos as protests erupted on Minneapolis’ ‘Eat Street’ following the fatal shooting of a man by a federal immigration officer.
The incident occurred around 9 a.m., leading to drastic escalation as videos circulated showing federal and local authorities engaged with protesters. By noon, the atmosphere was charged with anger as demonstrators confronted law enforcement, many using whistles to alert fellow activists to the presence of federal agents.
The deceased, 37-year-old Alex Pretti, had previously been involved in a larger context of protests against recent immigration enforcement actions. His death drew immediate outrage, as protests had already been organized in response to the earlier fatal shooting of a local resident by another ICE officer.
Eyewitness accounts describe the rapidly escalating situation, with demonstrators regrouping despite pushback from law enforcement armed with tear gas and pepper balls. Over the course of several hours, clashes continued, reflecting a community deeply affected by current immigration policies.
As the afternoon progressed, protesters managed to reclaim parts of the intersection near the shooting, turning it into a makeshift memorial adorned with flowers, candles, and placards demanding the withdrawal of federal agents from Minnesota.
Minneapolis police maintained a presence but were criticized for their response, as tensions meant that many businesses and cultural institutions opted to close, adding to the somber mood of the day. By the evening, many gathered in a vigil, reflecting both sorrow and anger at the escalating violence.
Amidst the turmoil, community leaders called for a peaceful resolution to the protests, hoping to channel their grief into actionable change. This latest episode underscored the ongoing wildness in immigration enforcement discussions and community responses, marking another chapter in Minneapolis’s evolving narrative on justice and law enforcement.
