Protesters gather at an Omaha intersection to call for the end of ICE patrols in Minneapolis following another shooting death by federal law enforcement agents. (Molly Ashford/Nebraska Public Media)
Nebraska ICE protests erupted after fatal ICE shootings in Minneapolis, as demonstrators in Lincoln and Omaha called for an end to federal patrols.
By Jackie Ourada and Molly Ashford, Nebraska Public Media
Hundreds of protesters on Sunday gathered in separate demonstrations in Nebraska cities following another shooting death by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis.
The protests were organized after the Saturday shooting of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse in Minneapolis who was protesting immigration enforcement. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said that Pretti approached DHS officers with a pistol and that he resisted arrest.
But as NPR reports, multiple videos show Pretti never drew a weapon and was recording video on his phone when agents pepper sprayed him. Video from the interaction also showed that one of the agents did disarm Pretti. The shooting death comes just several weeks after the shooting death of Renee Good who was killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis.
“What do we want? ICE out! When do we want it? Now!” yelled protesters at the intersection of 48th and O streets in Lincoln on Sunday. A few sign-holders said they were nurses and that they denounce the killing of Pretti and call for accountability. Dozens of cars zoomed past honking and yelling in support. Several Lincoln Police cruisers drove through the intersection with traffic, but no law enforcement was seen among the protesters.
Hundreds also gathered in Omaha at the central intersection of 72nd and Dodge streets Sunday afternoon. Several protesters held signs that encouraged others to contact Nebraska lawmakers and urge them to “stop unchecked ICE funding.”
(Molly Ashford/Nebraska Public Media)
(Jackie Ourada/Nebraska Public Media)
“At the end of the day, what we’re seeing isn’t good for anyone on either side of the aisle,” Spencer Robinson told Nebraska Public Media News at the Omaha demonstration. “I’m kind of past the point where I’m worried about party-based arguments, and I hope everybody can just kind of get on board that this isn’t what’s in the best interest of anybody.”
Another demonstrator, Kylie Robinson, said the government “shouldn’t just be able to kill people.”
“I think we just have to keep advocating for the abolishment of ICE, honestly,” Kylie Robinson said. “I mean, I don’t think that state-sponsored violence should be happening in America.”
The Nebraska Nurses Association issued a statement Saturday that said its board was “deeply disturbed and saddened” by Pretti’s death.
“The circumstances surrounding Mr. Pretti’s death, following a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, have sparked deep concern and public outcry. We join the American Nurses Association and our peer nursing organizations across the country in calling for a full, transparent, and independent review of the incident, with findings shared respectfully with Mr. Pretti’s family and the public.”
The Nebraska Democratic Party said Pretti’s killing was “another line crossed in Minneapolis by unchecked and unaccountable ICE agents.”
The statement said Pretti attended the protests to help others exercise their constitutional rights and provide any necessary aid to protestors exercising their rights to protest.
“No amount of spin, misdirection, or alternative facts from the Trump administration or Secretary Kristi Noem’s Department of Homeland Security can erase what millions of Americans have now witnessed,” the statement read.
Nebraska lawmakers and leaders are calling for measured responses and patience as investigations begin into Pretti’s death.
In a statement to Nebraska Public Media News, Sen. Pete Ricketts said he expects a “prioritized, transparent investigation” into the shooting. “The nation witnessed a horrifying situation this weekend. My prayers are with the family of Alex Pretti. My support for funding ICE remains the same. Enforcing our immigration laws makes our streets safer. It also protects our national security. But we must also maintain our core values as a nation, including the right to protest and assemble.”
“Community leaders should work to restore order in Minneapolis,” Rep. Mike Flood said in a statement. “Stoking anger only makes the situation worse. No matter your political persuasion, we should all want peace to win over chaos. In moments like this, all parties need to pause, wait for all the facts to become clear, and allow a full investigation to be completed.”
“Law enforcement should conduct an objective investigation and get the facts. We defend people’s free speech and right to protest. But it is not right to interfere or obstruct law enforcement in their official actions,” Rep. Don Bacon said in a statement.
Omaha Mayor John Ewing said, “This is, no doubt, a tenuous time.” The Democratic mayor went on to say, “If you decide to protest, as is our shared constitutional right, please do so peacefully. The Omaha Police Department will work to keep all safe. I ask all to practice restraint and care. I would ask all of us in Omaha to hold each other, friends and strangers alike, in our hearts. I would ask us to deepen our commitments to one another as human beings, regardless of circumstance, so that all who live here feel included, welcomed and safe.”
Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson wrote in a social media post, “We should all strive to do better.” He said, “Fatal law enforcement encounters are somber, serious and complex legal matters which should never be politicized. Prematurely jumping to conclusions, from either side, does a disservice to the investigative process and survivors, but even more importantly, it threatens our cherished system of due process which protects us all. Even more disruptive is when such rushing to conclusions originates from those in trusted leadership roles.”
Nebraska Public Media News has reached out to Gov. Jim Pillen, Sen. Deb Fischer and Rep. Adrian Smith for comment but has not received responses.
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