WNBA Star Brianna Stewart Calls for ICE Abolishment

Brianna Stewart, a prominent player for the New York Liberty, expressed her strong opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) before a recent game. As she took to the court for the match against the Vinal team, she held a sign that read “Abolish ICE.” This action was notably timed after a tumultuous weekend marked by a Border Patrol-related shooting in Minneapolis that left one man dead.

The victim, identified as Alex J. Preti, was reportedly shot during an encounter with officers involved in a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operation. This tragic incident follows another involving a Minneapolis resident where another individual, Renee Nicole Good, was shot by an ICE officer. DHS characterized that encounter as one of self-defense, claiming Good had used his vehicle in an aggressive manner by blocking federal vehicles.

There’s a notable history of the WNBA players speaking out against law enforcement issues, particularly since the first Trump administration. In 2020, they took a stand against racial injustice connected to George Floyd’s death in Minnesota, with teams and players advocating for police reform.

The WNBA Players Association previously issued a statement underscoring the need for accountability regarding police violence, stressing that the ongoing crisis must meet with action to honor victims and their families. They noted, “The epidemic of police violence against Black and Brown people must end… Excessive use of force against communities of color demands action by Congress.”