The Minnesota Lynx held a moment of silence in memory of Renee Good and Alex Pretti that was interrupted by a fan shouting "F*** ICE." Minneapolis became the epicenter of protests earlier this year after both Pretti and Good were killed at the hands of federal agents during an immigration crackdown.
Deaths Spark Outrage
Pretti, an intensive care nurse, was shot dead after a struggle with Border Patrol in what a medical examiner ruled a homicide. It came two weeks after 37-year-old Renee Good was fatally shot in her car by an ICE agent.
Lynx Honor Victims
Four months on, the Lynx held a moment of silence to honor them ahead of their clash against the Atlanta Dream on Saturday night. Pictures of Pretti and Good appeared on the jumbotron of Target Center, before the arena announcer said: "Please join us in honoring Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti with a moment of silence." He added: "We continue to extend our love, support and heartfelt sympathies to Renee and Alex's families, friends and our community."
Fan Disruption
A hush then fell over Target Center until one fan shouted: "F*** ICE!" The comment sparked wild cheers from fans elsewhere in the arena. It is not the first time that basketball fans have staged anti-ICE protests since Pretti and Good's death.
Previous Protests
Back in January, several Minnesota Timberwolves fans chanted "F*** ICE" as Target Center honored Pretti. There was a demonstration outside the arena, too, with one person displaying a message that compared ICE to the Gestapo. Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton claimed at the time that "Alex Pretti was murdered," while the NBA Players Association released a blistering statement on his death.
WNBA star Breanna Stewart, meanwhile, held up an "Abolish ICE" sign while being introduced before a game in Florida. "I was just disgusted from everything that you see on Instagram and in the news," Stewart, a two-time WNBA MVP, told reporters on her decision to protest President Trump's immigration crackdown.
