A wave of grief and outrage has surged following two fatal shootings in Minneapolis involving federal immigration agents, prompting a stark call to action from Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s.
Cohen initially intended to honor Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman killed by an ICE agent earlier this month, with a commemorative ice cream flavor. However, the subsequent death of Alex Pretti, also 37, shattered that plan.
Pretti, an ICU nurse, was reportedly attempting to aid a woman during an immigration enforcement operation when he was attacked with an irritant, subdued, and ultimately shot by agents. Disturbing video footage and eyewitness accounts detail a brutal escalation of force, including the seizure of Pretti’s legally owned firearm before the fatal shots were fired.
The second tragedy extinguished Cohen’s hope for a simple tribute, leading him to declare that the deaths were not isolated incidents but rather “standard operating procedure.” He voiced a chilling fear that Minneapolis is merely the first target in a broader campaign of intimidation.
In a powerful video statement, Cohen warned that anyone who challenges authority risks becoming a victim of this “brazen, arrogant, masked militarized force,” alleging its loyalty lies solely with a former president and operates with impunity.
He painted a grim picture of a nation where exercising First Amendment rights could lead to death, or at best, placement on a “domestic terrorist” watchlist. This, he insisted, is a betrayal of fundamental American freedoms.
Cohen passionately argued that the current situation represents a descent into “sheer cruelty” and a potential “end of the land of the free.” He implored citizens to find the courage to defend justice, compassion, and their neighbors.
His response culminated in a direct demand: the complete dismantling of ICE, the agency formed in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks. Cohen advocates for a return to the pre-2001 system, where immigration matters were handled by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, a division of the Department of Justice.
He also challenged the rhetoric of those who profess Christian values while simultaneously supporting policies that target immigrants, quoting biblical passages about welcoming strangers and loving one’s neighbor. The dissonance, he suggested, is deeply troubling.
Cohen’s words are a desperate plea for a return to a more humane and just approach to immigration, fueled by the recent tragedies and a growing fear for the future of civil liberties.
