US celebrities including Katy Perry and Pedro Pascal have called for citizens to contact lawmakers following the fatal shootings of two US citizens during an immigration crackdown in Minnesota. Perry urged her Instagram followers to write to senators opposing funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), part of the Department of Homeland Security.
The deaths of Renee Good, a mother of three, and intensive care nurse Alex Pretti have sparked protests against President Donald Trump's deployment of agents in the state. Pascal shared drawings of the victims with the message: 'Pretti Good reason for a national strike.' Billie Eilish called Pretti 'a real American hero' and challenged fellow celebrities to speak up.
The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) issued a statement on Sunday saying players 'can no longer remain silent.' The union condemned the killings and called for solidarity with protesters in Minnesota, emphasising the right to freedom of speech.
Trump administration officials claimed the shootings were acts of self-defence, though video evidence contradicted this. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt blamed 'hostile resistance by Democrat leaders' but noted President Trump had a 'productive' phone call with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Leavitt distanced Trump from remarks by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labelling Pretti a domestic terrorist. The celebrities' response continues a pattern of high-profile activism following incidents of police brutality, including the murder of George Floyd.
