The NBA acted swiftly Saturday, canceling a game between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves in Minnesota following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Veterans Affairs nurse Alex Pretti by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Before the rescheduled game on Sunday, the Timberwolves held a moment of silence for Pretti.
A few athletes — along with some Minnesota-based sports teams — came out Sunday with statements addressing Pretti’s death.
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Of that group, Unrivaled co-founder and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton issued the most declarative statements on the topic.
Prior to Sunday’s Unrivaled game, Stewart was photographed holding an “Abolish ICE” sign.
Haliburton tweeted that Pretti was murdered.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch issued a statement Sunday ahead of the team’s rescheduled game with the Warriors. Finch said the organization was “heartbroken for what we are having to witness and endure and watch.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who has spoken up often about gun violence in the United States, among other issues, said, “In times like these, you have to lean on values and who you are and who you want to be — either as an individual or as a country.”
The National Basketball Players Association — the players’ union — issued a statement Sunday defending “the right to freedom of speech” and the desire to “stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota.”
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The full statement read:
“Following the news of yet another fatal shooting in Minneapolis, a city that has been on the forefront of the fight against injustices, NBA players can no longer remain silent.
“Now more than ever, we must defend the right to freedom of speech and stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice.
“The fraternity of NBA players, like the United States itself, is a community enriched by its global citizens, and we refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties that are meant to protect us all.
“The NBPA and its members extend our deepest condolences to the families of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, just as our thoughts remain focused on the safety and well-being of all members of our community.”
They weren’t the only group to issue a statement. On Sunday, CEOs from various companies in Minnesota — including the Minnesota Vikings, Timberwolves, Minnesota Lynx, Minnesota United FC and the Minnesota Wild — issued a lengthy statement calling for “an immediate deescalation of tensions.”
The full statement read:
“The business community in Minnesota prides itself in providing leadership and solving problems to ensure a strong and vibrant state. The recent challenges facing our state have created widespread disruption and tragic loss of life. For the past several weeks, representatives of Minnesota’s business community have been working every day behind the scenes with federal, state and local officials to advance real solutions. These efforts have included close communication with the Governor, the White House the Vice President and local mayors. There are ways for us to come together to foster progress.
“With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions.
“We have been working for generations to build a strong and vibrant state here in Minnesota and will do so in the months and years ahead with equal and even greater commitment. In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future.”
The Minnesota Twins were not included in the statement, though two of the team’s players, pitchers Bailey Ober and Simeon Woods Richardson, sent out posts showing protests that occurred across the state over the weekend.
Fans at a PWHL game between the Minnesota Frost and Boston Fleet made their voices heard, chanting “ICE out now!”
Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider sent out an image of the Boston Massacre, in which British soldiers shot into a crowd of Americans, wounding many and killing five.
The event played a major role in changing U.S. sentiment against King George III.
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Hours before taking the field as a captain Sunday, Denver Broncos offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz put up a post on Instagram about Saturday’s shooting.
On Saturday, NBA analyst Charles Barkley called for those in power to step up and “be adults.” He added, “two people have died for no reason.”
In addition to Pretti, ICE agents also fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good in January. The Timberwolves held a moment of silence for Good shortly after her death.
ICE agents were originally dispatched to Minneapolis and St. Paul in early December in an operation organized by President Donald Trump’s administration. The operation — which is aimed at apprehending and deporting undocumented immigrants — has spread across the entire state of Minnesota. Local residents have rallied to protest the operation, with thousands taking to the streets to let their voices be heard over the weekend.