“You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it.”[1] Yet, as protestors in Minneapolis are being gunned down in the streets, our federal government fails to take accountability.[2] “To protest against injustice is the foundation of all our American democracy,”[3] or, at least it used to be. 

On January 7, 2026, Renée Good parked her car blocking a residential street where ICE officers were in unmarked cars.[4] Renée was taunting the officers when they began to approach her car.[5] As they came closer, Renée began to drive off.[6] She is not driving fast, nor does it seem that she is trying to run anyone over.[7] However, one of the officers finds himself near the front driver's side of her car and uses her attempt to escape as justification to draw his gun, firing three lethal shots into Renée right then and there.[8] 

On January 24, 2026, just two weeks after the killing of Renée Good, DHS agents in Minneapolis shoved a woman to the ground; it was at this moment that Alex Pretti stepped between the two parties, keeping both of his hands visible to the agents.[9] He was then pepper-sprayed by one agent and tackled to the ground by many others.[10] Throughout all of this, Alex’s hands remained empty to the agents and onlookers observing the event.[11] Once Alex was on the ground, with multiple agents on top of him, an agent discovered a gun in Alex’s waistband.[12] After removing and discarding Alex’s gun, the agent drew his own and shot Alex at close range, killing him.[13]

Renée and Alex were gunned down in the street, not for engaging in illegal activity that would provoke such a response from ICE and DHS, but for exercising their First Amendment rights, and in Alex’s case, Second Amendment right.[14] From the American Revolution,[15] the Women’s Rights Movement,[16] to the Civil Rights Movement[17] American have taken to the streets to protest for change. In fact, protesting for change has long been, and continues to be an act of expression highly revered by Americans. Instead of facilitating peaceful protests, federal agents are now publicly executing protestors in the streets with impunity.

While the federal government feigns ignorance, Minnesotans have proven they will not let two of their own be murdered in silence.[18] Minnesotans were not deterred by subzero temperatures, nor the actions of ICE and DHS, as they protested in the streets by the thousands.[19] Courageous acts of protest like this are precisely what brought forth change during pivotal moments of American history,[20] and we must not lose steam now. It’s time for Americans to stand up, not shy away. May we all find the courage to stand up against what is wrong like Renée Good and Alex Pretti.