On August 13 of this year, the federal Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) filed a report detailing an investigation in Minneapolis dated four days after the murder of Alex Pretti. But this document wasn’t an investigation into the murders by federal agents into the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. It was about “violent opportunists” in Minneapolis that had “exploited… protests as cover to attempt breaches of federal properties and have perpetrated multiple assaults against federal officers tasked with protecting these facilities.”
The operation, dubbed “Operation Puppet Master,” gathered information on groups and individuals who were never accused of crimes, a line they crossed to intentionally repress political expression and free speech.
Additional documents filed in the District Court in Minnesota detail that HSI went far beyond the investigation of individuals pursuing violent tactics against the federal government. Investigative agents attended meetings in libraries, churches, and parks. In fact, though their investigation cites “violent opportunists,” HSI investigated organizations who explicitly advocate non-violence, including the A.F.L.-C.I.O, SEIU, and the Sunrise Movement.
While this case was open, lawyers representing the families of Alex Pretti and Renee Good have struggled to obtain basic evidence on the senseless murder of these two ordinary citizens by ICE. It took over six months for lawyers to receive evidence from the federal government about the fatal shootings.
A lawyer for Alex Pretti’s family said, “No family should be required to beg federal authorities to do their job… Without a public commitment by federal authorities to cooperate with the state, it is difficult — if not, impossible — to pursue justice that holds the individuals accountable for Alex’s death.”
We see where the federal government’s priorities lie. They are intent on crushing mass dissent. They are not concerned with justice and equality. We cannot wait for the courts of this capitalist system to demonstrate what we know is true – ICE has committed murders, both on the streets and in detention centers, in Minneapolis and beyond.
We need to fight for a world where ICE doesn’t exist, where police don’t exist, and where borders don’t exist. The seeds to build that world are happening on the streets – we must be active in building mass resistance to this regime, and the capitalist system at large.
