US Nationwide Protests Erupt Over Immigration Crackdown and Fatal Shootings of Two Citizens
A nationwide strike hit the US on Friday, with protesters calling for a halt to work, school, and shopping as they took to the streets in opposition to President Donald Trump's administration's aggressive deportation drive. The strike, which has already caused mass absences from schools across several states, comes as the Department of Justice launches a civil rights probe into the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by border patrol agents last month.
The killings of Pretti and another US citizen, Renee Nicole Good, in Minnesota, have sparked widespread outrage among activists and community leaders. While Pretti's killing has triggered an investigation, Good's death remains shrouded in mystery, with the Department of Homeland Security initially claiming she was a "domestic terrorist" trying to run over an ICE agent before being fatally shot.
The Trump administration's surge of immigration agents to Minnesota to target alleged fraud in the Somali American community has been widely criticized as a form of racial profiling and abuse of power. Activist groups have condemned the move, with Representative Ilhan Omar, who represents Minneapolis, calling for a general strike against ICE operations nationwide.
Protesters gathered at Howard University in Washington DC on Friday, with many expressing frustration and anger over the administration's actions. "I think that it just goes to show how many people are against this, and how this is jeopardising our country," said one student. "I think us all coming together and speaking out against this shows our government that we are not OK with this, and we won’t let it slide."
The strike has sparked a wave of solidarity across the US, with schools cancelled in Arizona and Colorado, and students walking out of morning classes at several high schools. Businesses have also joined the cause, with one bakery in New York announcing it would remain open and donate half its proceeds to a local nonprofit.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of these tragic incidents, many are calling for greater accountability from the Trump administration. "Dissent is Democratic," said Mark Dion, Portland's mayor, "and dissent is American. It’s the cornerstone of our democracy."
A nationwide strike hit the US on Friday, with protesters calling for a halt to work, school, and shopping as they took to the streets in opposition to President Donald Trump's administration's aggressive deportation drive. The strike, which has already caused mass absences from schools across several states, comes as the Department of Justice launches a civil rights probe into the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by border patrol agents last month.
The killings of Pretti and another US citizen, Renee Nicole Good, in Minnesota, have sparked widespread outrage among activists and community leaders. While Pretti's killing has triggered an investigation, Good's death remains shrouded in mystery, with the Department of Homeland Security initially claiming she was a "domestic terrorist" trying to run over an ICE agent before being fatally shot.
The Trump administration's surge of immigration agents to Minnesota to target alleged fraud in the Somali American community has been widely criticized as a form of racial profiling and abuse of power. Activist groups have condemned the move, with Representative Ilhan Omar, who represents Minneapolis, calling for a general strike against ICE operations nationwide.
Protesters gathered at Howard University in Washington DC on Friday, with many expressing frustration and anger over the administration's actions. "I think that it just goes to show how many people are against this, and how this is jeopardising our country," said one student. "I think us all coming together and speaking out against this shows our government that we are not OK with this, and we won’t let it slide."
The strike has sparked a wave of solidarity across the US, with schools cancelled in Arizona and Colorado, and students walking out of morning classes at several high schools. Businesses have also joined the cause, with one bakery in New York announcing it would remain open and donate half its proceeds to a local nonprofit.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of these tragic incidents, many are calling for greater accountability from the Trump administration. "Dissent is Democratic," said Mark Dion, Portland's mayor, "and dissent is American. It’s the cornerstone of our democracy."
. I mean, who wouldn't be upset when a innocent person gets killed by border patrol agents? And now, they're saying this is racial profiling? It's like, come on, let's not jump to conclusions. But at the same time, if the authorities are targeting a specific community and getting it wrong, that's just not right 
. I think Mark Dion said it pretty well though, "Dissent is Democratic" 
. Maybe we should be having this conversation in schools instead of on the streets?
what's going on with this deportation drive? it's like they're just picking on certain groups of people, and then killing them too? 
I don't think that's right. I mean, Renee Nicole Good was just trying to get home from work and she ends up getting shot by ICE agents... it's crazy! 
I don't think we should be treating people differently just because of where they're from. that's not America, right? 
it's about time someone did! I wish more people would stand up for what's right, even if it means going against the government. 
can you even imagine how scary and dehumanizing that must have been for her family? And now there are protests across the country because people are finally speaking out against this blatant racism... it's about time, tbh 
. But seriously, what's going on with these fatal shootings and the lack of accountability from the government? It's like they're just sweeping it all under the rug 
and expecting us to just move on. Newsflash: we won't move on until justice is served! 
Maybe then we can figure out ways to balance security with compassion and justice.
. It's crazy how much heat is on Trump's administration right now... According to Google Trends, searches for "immigration reform" have increased by 300% in the past week 
. Schools across multiple states are seeing huge absentee rates, with some schools reporting up to 70% absence rate today alone 
️. In terms of demographics, 70% of protesters at Howard University were people of color 
.
this whole thing is just a mess... I'm so done with trump's admin being all racist and xenophobic on our backs 
meanwhile alex pretti's family has to deal with no answers and no justice... Renee good's death is straight up unsolved and still being brushed under the rug 
and it's not like we're even talking about a clear-cut case of self-defense here...ICE is basically just running around willy nilly trying to pick off some brown people 
but at the same time i get why ppl wanna protest and make noise about this stuff its all about equality and freedom, you know?
I'm so done with this admin already! Deportation drive? Come on! They're just gonna keep sending people back to their home countries and expect them to be grateful for a second chance at the American dream? Newsflash: it's not that simple. Those Somali Americans are American citizens, duh! 
And what about Renee Good's death? If they were really a domestic terrorist, wouldn't they have had some evidence by now? This whole thing just reeks of racism and abuse of power. We need to stand up for our rights and demand accountability from the people in charge. 
like what even is goin on rn? 
we need more transparency and less racism 
#JusticeForAlex #StopTheDeportations
OMG, this is crazy! I'm literally feeling so bad for those two innocent ppl who got shot by border patrol agents... like, what even is going on? 
I'm all for keeping our borders secure, but not at the expense of human rights and dignity. And let's be real, that ICE agent who killed Renee Nicole Good should be held accountable 
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. I think we should all be supporting our fellow humans who are being targeted unfairly, no matter where they're from or what their background is 
. It's crazy to see how much outrage there is over these incidents - it just goes to show that we need more people speaking out against injustice 
. I mean, whats the point a deportation drive if u r just gonna hurt ppl in the process? Its not like they were smugglers or anything 
. and btw, what even is this "domestic terrorist" label? sounds like a made-up thing 2 me 
