Obama and Clinton Issue Call to “Stand Up”

The fatal shootings of two individuals by ICE officers in Minneapolis within approximately two weeks have confronted the country with a new wave of protests. The killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three, on January 7, followed shortly by the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti at the hands of ICE agents, has pushed political tensions between Democrats and Republicans to a breaking point.

While Republican President Donald Trump claimed that Pretti attacked the police and "intended to carry out a massacre," video footage of the incident contradicts these allegations. Trump blamed Democrats for the escalating tension, accusing them of "organizing resistance against immigration policies," prompting sharp warnings from former Democratic presidents.

Obama: "This is a Warning"

Former U.S. President Barack Obama described the events as a "heartbreaking tragedy." Stating that masked ICE agents and federal forces are employing tactics in American cities designed to "intimidate and provoke the public," Obama emphasized that this situation has caused a justified anger.

Criticizing the Trump administration’s escalatory approach, Obama called on the American people to support the protests:

"Every American should support the wave of peaceful protests. These are a warning, reminding us that it is the responsibility of each of us to raise our voices against injustice, protect our fundamental freedoms, and hold our government accountable."

Clinton: "If We Surrender Our Freedoms, We May Not Get Them Back"

Stating that the U.S. is witnessing scenes it never thought possible, former President Bill Clinton pointed out that even children are being detained by masked federal agents. Recalling the cases of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Clinton said, "What makes matters worse is that those responsible lie to us at every opportunity and want us to disbelieve what we see with our own eyes."

Asserting that U.S. democracy is at a critical turning point, Clinton stated: "If we surrender our freedoms after 250 years, we may never get them back. All of us who believe in the promises of American democracy must stand up and speak out."

The Arts World Did Not Remain Silent

In addition to these stern rebukes from the political arena, reactions against ICE violence are rising from the world of culture and arts.

• Actor Pedro Pascal: The The Last of Us star, citing a New York Times article, called for justice for the slain civilians, stating, "The American people deserve to know the truth."

• Musician Billie Eilish: Describing the late Alex Pretti as a "true American hero," the famous singer criticized the silence of her colleagues.

• Actors Edward Norton and Natalie Portman: Speaking at the Sundance Film Festival, Norton called for a general strike, while Portman expressed deep sorrow over the government's stance.

• Musicians Katy Perry and Olivia Rodrigo: Perry urged her followers to write letters to senators against ICE funding, while Rodrigo shared the message, "We are not powerless; our actions matter."

• Veteran actors such as Mark Ruffalo and Glenn Close were also among those criticizing the Trump administration's policies on social media.

What Happened?

On January 7, during an ICE operation targeting immigrants in Minneapolis, 37-year-old poet and U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Macklin Good was shot and killed while inside her vehicle. On January 24, in the same city, ICE teams shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti while attempting to take him into custody. In statements following the incidents, President Donald Trump targeted immigrants who entered the country during the Joe Biden era and argued that ICE operations were proceeding without issues in Republican states. The Trump administration blames the Democratic Party for the rising tensions caused by these two consecutive civilian deaths.