We grieve the murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis. Their deaths are well-documented evidence of the cruelty of this political moment. In the first few weeks of 2026, several others have died directly or following arrest, detention, deportation, or imprisonment: Keith Porter, Parady La, Heber Sanchez Domínguez, Victor Manuel Diaz, Luis Beltrán Yanez Cruz, Luis Gustavo Núñez Cáceres, and Geraldo Lunas Campos.
For many Americans, this moment feels shocking. The murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Good were well-documented, revealing lies in the official narrative from the Department of Homeland Security. For historically marginalized communities in the United States and abroad, this pattern of unjustified killing and cover-up is familiar. Racialized state violence is core to national security policies, including policing, borders, detention, and war, often happening outside public scrutiny.
This is not a series of isolated incidents or “bad apples.” Nor is this violence limited to U.S. borders. The illegal bombing of boats in the Caribbean by the U.S. is another manifestation of a rotten core—militarism as policy. Militarism demands the use of force and dominance. Militarism, paired with racialized state violence, ranks human lives based on race, geography, and political utility. It shapes budgets, narratives, and institutions that normalize hierarchy, domination, and killing.
If we want to build peace at home or abroad, we must confront militarism. That means rethinking how we attain safety and security, not through armed force but by human connection and resilient communities. We can look at Minneapolis through a different lens to reveal how genuine peace and security are built. Communities organize meal trains. Businesses run mutual aid networks from their supply rooms. Parents volunteer to monitor and patrol grounds (unarmed!) for ICE encroachment.
Like Alex Pretti over the weekend, people offer help when someone is pushed to the ground. Our responsibility, at minimum, is to speak. Silence would align us with the violence we oppose.
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To support communities in Minnesota, please visit the following resources:
Stand with Minnesota – https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits – https://minnesotanonprofits.org/community-resources-ice-operations
