‘It is time to return peace to our nation’s cities:’ Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson issues statement and prayer following 2nd fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis

The Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, United Church of Christ General Minister and President/CEO has issued a special statement and prayer following today’s fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis. The shooting took place on a day marked by protests and the shutting down of businesses across the Minneapolis-St. Paul region, calling for ICE agents to leave the city, and stop the immigration raids. This is the second fatal ICE involved shooting in the city; 17 days ago the city was rocked by the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good by federal agents that set off a chain of protests, marches, and renewed calls for charges to the offending agents.

“We pray for the city of Minneapolis, for its leaders and for clergy and spiritual leaders who are offering care to this city that continues to experience the violence, tyranny, and oppression in the presence and actions of ICE agents,” the statement reads. “We pray for an end to the violence and hatred unleashed on immigrant communities and pray safety for those most vulnerable, even as we pray for those who seek to care for those whose lives are threatened by the presence of these federal agents.”

You can find the full statement below:

“This is God’s Message: Attend to matters of justice. Set things right between people. Rescue victims from their exploiters. Don’t take advantage of the homeless, the orphans, the widows. Stop the murdering!” (Jeremiah 22:3, MSG)

The peace we long for seems elusive, as we witness the violence in Minneapolis. We are shocked by the murder of Alex Pretti by ICE agents today in the streets of Minneapolis, a mere 17 days after the murder of Renee Nicole Good. We grieve the loss of these lives and pray for their families and loved ones during this time of grief and sorrow.

We pray for the city of Minneapolis, for its leaders and for clergy and spiritual leaders who are offering care to this city that continues to experience the violence, tyranny, and oppression in the presence and actions of ICE agents. We pray for an end to the violence and hatred unleashed on immigrant communities and pray safety for those most vulnerable, even as we pray for those who seek to care for those whose lives are threatened by the presence of these federal agents.

The United Church of Christ joins the faith community in strongly condemning the on-going actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as it continues to bring death and violence to the streets of Minneapolis. The use of lethal force on unarmed and non-threatening individuals continues to result in loss of life and injury. The abduction of people on the streets of major cities, the profiling of individuals, the targeting of immigrants, and the escalation of deportations are violating the human rights of millions. Added to the increased militarization of cities, communities that house some of the most vulnerable now find themselves under siege. It is time to stop the murdering. It is time to stop the violence. It is time to return peace to our nation’s cities.

The deployment of masked agents in the nation’s cities has escalated fear, anxiety, and tension in communities where immigrants and people of color continue to be profiled and targeted to be stopped, detained, and arrested. As people of faith, we call for the removal of ICE from Minneapolis and other cities, and for the removal of the National Guard. We call for truth telling and for accountability in these two deaths, seeking justice for the lives lost, and for those whose lives are disrupted by the actions of ICE.

Today we mourn, weeping at the injustices being meted on neighbors. We mourn the loss of freedom, dignity, and respect. We mourn the loss of these lives.

Alex Pretti

Renee Nicole Good

God, we long for peace in our communities, peace that is promised, peace that is everlasting. We cry out for the loss of lives to violence in the streets of the United States. Grant us the courage to see and speak the truth. Help us to be witnesses to your presence and to the call to love our neighbors as ourselves. Restore peace to the land and to our communities. Set things right among us we pray. Amen.

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