A still-growing collection of athletes, teams, and unions was among the many voices decrying the killing Saturday of a Minnesota citizen at the hands of federal immigration officials.
As the Twin Cities area remains fraught with tension amid a large-scale crackdown there by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the market’s pro teams and several athletes are speaking out about what they see as improper, heavy-handed, and unconstitutional tactics.
The killing of 37-year-old Alex Pretti on Saturday morning, following a scuffle with Border Patrol agents, was the second this month by federal officers.
Among the specific comments and actions from the sports world:
- The NFL’s Vikings, MLB’s Twins, NBA’s Timberwolves, NHL’s Wild, WNBA’s Lynx, and Minnesota United FC of MLS were all among the more than 60 signatories of a letter released Sunday by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce calling for an “immediate de-escalation of tensions.” The letter goes on to read in part, “we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state, and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution” to the current conflict.
- Unrivaled cofounder and two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player Breanna Stewart held an “Abolish ICE” sign during Unrivaled player introductions Sunday. “We are so fueled by hate right now instead of love, so I wanted to have a simple message of ‘Abolish ICE,’ which means having policies to uplift families and communities instead of fueling fear and violence.”
- The latest shooting, not surprisingly, was a topic during Saturday’s edition of Inside the NBA, now appearing on ESPN. “Somebody’s gotta step up and be adults,” said show co-host Charles Barkley. “Two people have died for no reason, and it’s just sad.”
- The National Basketball Players Association released an extensive statement Sunday, reading in part, “Now more than ever, we must defend the right to freedom of speech and stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice.”
- Pro Football Hall of Famer Alan Page, who starred with the Vikings before becoming a Minnesota Supreme Court justice, has been protesting in Minneapolis this week.
- The PWHL’s Minnesota Frost, hosting the New York Sirens Sunday in St. Paul, held a pregame moment of silence for Pretti. The Timberwolves did the same thing after previously postponing a home game against the Warriors. Before their game, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said, “This is my home. I love living here, I love being apart of the community. … It’s sad to watch what is happening.”
- Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, out for the entire season due to injury, bluntly tweeted Saturday, “Alex Pretti was murdered.”
- Many other athletes have spoken out on social media in a similar fashion, including NBA veteran Isaiah Thomas, now in the G League, who tweeted, “6 guys beating the shit outta ONE person then KILLING him!! Fuck the ICE agents. 6 against one and y’all still shoot and kill somebody. Y’all had him out numbered and decided to KILL him like it was a video game and he can just [get] his life back. Smh.”
The Pretti matter is now under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security.
