US celebrities call on citizens to pressure lawmakers after fatal shootings in Minnesota

American Singer Katy Perry and other U.S. celebrities have asked people to contact lawmakers after federal immigration officials were involved in the deaths of two U.S. citizens during immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota earlier this month. 

Perry told her Instagram followers on Monday to write to their U.S. senators and ask them to oppose funding for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

The recent deaths of Renee Good, a mother of three, and intensive care nurse Alex Pretti have led to demonstrations against President Donald Trump’s increased deployment of agents in Minnesota. 

Tribune Online reports that Good was shot earlier in the month, and Pretti was killed more recently in Minneapolis during enforcement operations by federal immigration officials. 

Video evidence from the scenes has challenged the administration’s description that officers acted in self-defense.

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American Actor Pedro Pascal posted drawings of Good and Pretti on Instagram with the message: “Pretti Good reason for a national strike.” 

American Singer Billie Eilish, also on Instagram, called Pretti “a real American hero” and asked other public figures to speak up: “hey my fellow celebrities u gonna speak up? or.”

The National Basketball Players Association, the union for NBA players, issued a statement saying players “can no longer remain silent” and that they must support protestors in Minnesota who seek justice.

Officials in the Trump administration have described the killings as acts of self-defense, but video from both scenes has raised questions about that characterization. 

Public anger has grown as people across the country have spoken out against the enforcement actions by federal immigration officials, and protests continue in Minnesota and other cities. 

(Reuters)