Alex Ramel

I’ve now watched three videos of federal agents restraining, beating, and shooting Alex Pretti, a 37 year old ICU Nurse in Minnesota. This is horrifying and deeply saddening. The agents responsible must be held to account. But we also have to see that the administration’s violent rhetoric, escalatory tactics, inadequate training, and promised immunity for these agents is just as culpable for this tragedy.

It is clear that ICE and DHS are not making our communities safer. Under the reckless direction of this administration, their actions are deliberately inflaming tension, frightening innocent people, and acting with lawless, and deadly, violence. The killing of Rene Nichole Good by ICE agents and the shooting yesterday in Portland are heartbreaking.

I see no productive role for ICE in my community. We should use every lawful mechanism to hold those responsible to account, and every nonviolent chance to raise our voices in protest.