Minnesota CEOs Speak Out: What They’re *Really* Saying

Sixty ⁢ceos ⁤of Minnesota-based companies have publicly called for de-escalation following the fatal⁣ shooting of a‍ legal observer by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. The unusual move, detailed⁣ in an open letter released January 25 by the Minnesota ​Chamber of Commerce, reflects growing concern over ICE⁢ tactics.

The letter ‍comes after Alex Pretti, a legal ‌observer, was fatally shot during a protest against ‍ICE’s enforcement actions. This followed the January 7th‌ killing of Renée Good, a 37-year-old nurse, also shot by an ICE agent during a similar protest. both shootings ​have drawn intense scrutiny.

The CEOs, representing ​companies like Best Buy, Cargill, Ecolab, General ‌Mills, Hormel, and Target, urged ⁤state, local, and federal⁢ officials ‍to collaborate on solutions. “Wiht 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,” the letter stated.

ICE launched “operation Metro Surge” in‌ December, aiming to remove individuals deemed “the worst of ‍the worst” from Minneapolis streets. As of january 19, the agency reported arresting over‍ 10,000 individuals it described as “criminal illegal aliens.”

However,‌ the deaths of Good, a ‌poet and mother of three, and pretti, have prompted questions about the ⁤operation’s impact and placed Minnesota’s corporate community ⁣in the national spotlight. the letter suggests the CEOs‌ felt compelled to respond after these recent events, despite the potential for backlash from taking a political stance.

Adweek reached out to‌ all signatory ‌companies for comment but ⁤did not receive a response.