Call to Action: Stand as a Witness
Contact your senators and urge them to uphold accountability at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
On Saturday in Minneapolis, a group of federal agents killed protester Alex Pretti. Immediately, nearby witnesses and protestors began posting video footage of the incident online. Within hours, people all over the world had viewed the incident from many different angles. Just as rapidly, federal officials began pushing a narrative counter to what can be seen in the videos. Their claims accused Pretti of brandishing a gun, calling him a "domestic terrorist," while continuing to parrot blame on Minnesota officials for the circumstances in Minneapolis.
In this case, standing as a witness to what you saw in the video(s) can help advocate for Congressional action. If you are willing to recount what you saw, please:
- Watch the video.
- Write a few brief sentences identifying only facts about what you see. Use affirmative, objective statements, such as, "In the video I see..."; "I see federal agents doing..."; "I see Alex Pretti..."
- To most effectively stand as a witness, use a neutral tone and avoid including analysis, opinion, reaction, or emotion.
- Ask your senator to exercise their oversight authority by holding DHS accountable, calling for a pause in current operations, and ensuring immigration enforcement respects the Constitution and the rule of law.
In your ask, consider highlighting two or three additional points:
- Each human life is sacred and deserves dignity and protection.
- As a person of faith, you adhere to the commandment, "Thou shalt not kill," and you do not accept killing or excessive force against protestors without cause or accountability.
- Pretti's death, as with any death caused by federal agents, demands congressional investigation and accountability according to the law.
- The First Amendment affords people the right to assemble and protest, including recording video and/or audio, which it appears Pretti was doing before he was killed.
- The safety of protestors and bystanders must be foremost during any interactions between them and law enforcement agents.
Holding law enforcement accountable will foster public trust, protecting people from excessive force or even death. Accountability also strengthens law enforcement and protects lives.
