Minnesota sports teams join forces to condemn ICE killing of local nurse
Dozens of teams have put their rivalries aside to come together and condemn the murders that have shaken the community to its core.
The Vikings, Timberwolves, Lynx, Wild, Twins, and Minnesota United FC, along with a number of local companies, have penned a joint letter in response to the brutal killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti, the second death at the hands of law enforcement in a month after the killing of Renee Good at the turn of the year.
A wave of grief and calls for calm swept through Minnesota as the major local sports teams and player organisations publicly urged de-escalation in the aftermath of two fatal shootings by federal agents in the state.
The incidents, which have ignited widespread protests and intense debate over Trump-approved federal law enforcement tactics, prompted an unusual yet heartwarming collective response from professional sports franchises and athletes.
Americans. The BBC is the world's most respected broadcaster. @BBCRosAtkins is its most respected "fact checker". Here he analyses, frame by frame, what happened
— Alex Taylor (@AlexTaylorNews) January 26, 2026
ICE removed Alex Pretti's gun, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 shot him - 10 times in 5 seconds. Your government is lying to you👇
Eng. s/t pic.twitter.com/7vnEkI4D8r
“We are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions”
More than two dozen businesses and organisations signed an open letter on Sunday appealing for cooperation between state, local and federal authorities to ease tensions that have gripped communities in Minneapolis and beyond.
The open letter acknowledged the “tragic news” of the deaths and highlighted the importance of finding “real solutions” to restore peace.
The letter reads:
The business community in Minnesota prides itself in providing leadership and solving problems to ensure a strong and vibrant state. The recent challenges facing our state have created widespread disruption and tragic loss of life. For the past several weeks, representatives of Minnesota’s business community have been working every day behind the scenes with federal, state and local officials to advance real solutions. These efforts have included close communication with the Governor, the White House, the Vice President and local mayors. There are ways for us to come together to foster progress.
With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions.
We have been working for generations to build a strong and vibrant state here in Minnesota and will do so in the months and years ahead with equal and even greater commitment. In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future.
NEW: The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce released this letter on behalf of more than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies today. https://t.co/n4x7yJGoJv pic.twitter.com/uzXg0tzjIm
— Minnesota Chamber of Commerce (@MN_Chamber) January 25, 2026
“NBA players can no longer remain silent"
As well as the Minnesota teams’ letter, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) released a statement, saying that “NBA players can no longer remain silent," calling for people to “defend the right to freedom of speech and stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice.”
The full statement from the NBPA reads as follows: Following the news of yet another fatal shooting in Minneapolis, a city that has been on the forefront of the fight against injustices, NBA players can no longer remain silent.
Now more than ever, we must defend the right to freedom of speech and stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice.
The fraternity of NBA players, like the United States itself, is a community enriched by its global citizens, and we refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties that are meant to protect us all.
The NBPA and its members extend our deepest condolences to the families of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, just as our thoughts remain focused on the safety and well-being of all members of our community.
The turmoil around the shootings had even affected scheduled professional games. The NBA postponed the Timberwolves’ game against the Golden State Warriors amid safety concerns and the heightened atmosphere of protest, with that match later rescheduled to give space for the community’s response.
The National Basketball Players Association releases a statement following the Trump regime’s murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, saying that NBA players “can no longer remain silent.”
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) January 25, 2026
The NBPA is standing up for free speech, civil liberties, and the people of Minnesota… pic.twitter.com/5BG2PWbBpW
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Warriors coach Steve Kerr spoke openly about the atmosphere in Minneapolis: “People are so angry. There should be an appeal to our better angels to look after one another, and to recognise what’s happening,” he said. “We’re being divided by media for profit, by misinformation."
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