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Stars across film and entertainment are speaking out after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, an anti-ICE protester who was killed by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis on Jan. 24, sparking protests and national outrage.
Edward Norton, Olivia Wilde and other high-profile figures used public appearances and social media to denounce the shooting and broader federal immigration enforcement practices. The killing came amid heightened tensions in Minnesota, where demonstrations have continued following multiple ICE-related incidents earlier this month.
Olivia Rodrigo was among the first to respond, sharing a message to her Instagram Story calling ICE a "murderous federal agency" and urging followers to remember that public pressure matters. Jamie Lee Curtis echoed that anger, posting artwork honoring Pretti and earlier victim Renee Good alongside the message, "These were Americans," while saying the moment demanded amplification rather than silence.
Norton, speaking during a festival discussion, acknowledged how difficult it has become to focus on art amid ongoing violence. He criticized what he described as an illegal show of force against civilians, saying conversations now inevitably turn to fears about government overreach and public safety.
Online, actors including Mark Ruffalo and Pedro Pascal amplified footage of the shooting and questioned official accounts of the incident. Others shared resources encouraging followers to contact elected officials and demand accountability, transparency and reform. Lin-Manuel Miranda reposted messages from immigration advocacy groups calling for ICE to leave U.S. cities.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the state is conducting a full, impartial and transparent investigation into Pretti's death. Vigils and makeshift memorials have appeared near the site of the shooting as protesters continue to gather, calling for justice and systemic change.
The unrest has also reached cultural institutions, with filmmakers and artists at Sundance pausing screenings to acknowledge events in Minneapolis. Several emphasized the role of art in fostering empathy during times of crisis, while insisting it should not distract from real-world suffering.
As protests persist, celebrities continue to use their platforms to amplify calls for accountability, reform and an end to deadly enforcement practices nationwide.
